Complaints before the Commission b. To offer ajob to the petitioner commensurate with his academic qualifications and physical ability, in accordance with the provisions of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, or on compassionate grounds. The State Government has intimated the Commission that it has paid a sum of Rs. 1 lakh as compensation to the petitioner. Inhuman treatment of mentally ill patients at Sultan Alavudeen Durgah: Tamil Nadu (Case No. 427/22/1998-99) After a visit to the Sultan Alavudeen Durgah at Goripalayam, Madurai, on 23 July 1998, Prof. (Mrs.) D. Nazneen, Head of the Department of English, Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women, Madurai, brought to the notice of the Commission what she described as the pathetic plight of mentally ill patients staying in the Durgah. She mentioned that there were a few hundred persons staying there with their wards, seeking a cure for mental illness. According to her, many of the mentally ill patients were chained and kept in sheds that were open from all sides; there was no space even for free movement of their limbs. When certain patients turned aggressive, they were severely beaten. The Commission took cognizance and obtained a report from the Collector of Madurai. He stated that about 92 mentally ill patients ^vere staying in the Durgah for 'treatment', and that they were being taken care of by their relatives. There was no evidence of beating of the patients; instead, it was stated that the patients and their relatives had reportedly expressed the hope of a cure. ^ Following directions of the Commission, the Director General (Investigation) of the Commission visited the said Durgah and gave an assessment of the, situation. He observed that about 500 patients/devotees were staying in the Duigah. According to him, faith in the Durgah cut across religious lines, as about 75% of those present were Hindus and the rest were Muslims. The accommodation in which these people were living comprised of thatched sheds or open verandahs. The DG(I) also mentioned that, in addition to the Goripalayam Durgah, similar places existed in Tamil Nadu, where the mentally ill were taken and often l^pt in chains in the hope of a cure. The Commission observed that it was the helpless situation of the patients and the members of their family that was largely responsible for the recourse to such courses of treatment by them. The inadequacy of proper medical facilities and the indifference of Government-run institutes seemed to be the other contributory factors. The Commission, therefore, directed the State Government to get the entire matter examined through a body of persons which could, inter alia, comprise of the representatives of the State Government, the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission and other experts. The Commission sought a report from the Government of Tamil Nadu on the steps being 141