A man addicted to gutka was released from a rehabilitation centre in Bhiwandi by the Bombay High Court (HC) on Friday, August 25, after his relative filed a habeas corpus petition. The court found that his wife had no valid reason to keep him there and ordered his release.
The man's brother, who lives in the UAE, emailed their cousin on July 16 to inquire about him as he needed hernia surgery. The cousin found out that the man's wife had admitted him to the Amulya Prem Foundation for mental therapy due to their marital issues.
The man claimed that he was forcefully kept at the centre and not allowed to meet anyone. The centre's owner said that he did not need hernia surgery and that his wife was paying them to keep him there.
The relative filed a habeas corpus petition in the Bombay High Court on July 19 and sought his release. The court directed a police officer from Bhiwandi to record the statements of the man and the centre's owner on August 4.
The man was presented before the judges in chambers on August 18. There, he expressed his desire to go with his relative. The relative also agreed to take care of him. The judges noted that his wife had no medical evidence to justify his detention and ordered his release on August 25.
During their conversation with the man, the justices uncovered disturbing details. He openly admitted to his gutka addiction. However, he also complained about his unwarranted detention.
Representatives from the rehabilitation centre, including trustees Manisha Patil and Fernandes, revealed that they had been instructed to deny access to the man at the wife's behest. They had also received payments as an incentive.
Ultimately, the High Court found the wife responsible for her husband's illegal detention. They granted him permission to leave with his cousin. The rehabilitation centre also assured the court that no one else would face similar detention without due process of law.
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