A division bench of Justices N H Patil and V L Achliya was hearing a public interest litigation by social worker Vrushali Kalal who had raised the issue and sought a direction to the government to improve the condition of mental hospitals in Thane, Pune, Ratnagiri and Nagpur.
Apart from several other points, the petition is seeking implementation of the provisions of Mental Health Act in the four state-run mental hospitals.
After perusing the report, the bench today said the condition at the hospitals were deplorable and no psychologist or psychiatrist was available at any of the hospitals and none of the hospitals has a rehabilitation programme.
"What steps has the government taken after perusal of the report? The government should consider privatisation of these hospitals," the court said.
It also opined that the government should generate public awareness about mental illness and its symptoms so that people are not hesitant to approach psychologists to seek help.