For diagnosis of insanity, maximum limit of observation -

Ref: the synopsis of forensic medicine &toxicology-Dr.K.S. Narayana reddy 28th edition pg no;270-271 THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1987: this actrepeals the Indian Lunacy Act 1912. the act has changed the following terms:a] psychiatric hospitals is used instead of mental hospitals b] metally ill person instead of lunatic unsoundness of mind instead of insane c] mentally ill prisoner instead of criminal lunatic the main provision of acts are 1)mentally ill person is defined as a person who is in need of treatment by reason of any mental disorder other than mental retardation .2)the central Govt and the state govt have to establish an authority for mental health , for regulation,development and coordination with repect to mental health science 3) establishment and maintainance of psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home can be done only with licence which has to be renewd by 5 yerars 4) if a mentally ill person is received or detained against the provision of the act, the punishment is imprisonment up to 2 years and also fine 5) for every psychiatric hospital or nurd=sing home , the govt should appoint not less than 5 visitors of whom at least one should be a medical officer. not less than 3 visitors shall make a joint inspection of hospila or nursing home at least once in every monthand examine every minor patientas far as possible all other mentally ill persons and the order for the admission of and the medical ceificates and shall enter their remark in a book pg n0 :271-272 on receipt of application the magistrate must consider the allegation in the petetion and the evidence of mental illness appearing in the medical ceificates. he can personally examine the alleged mentally ill person. if he is satisfied he may pass a reception order immediately,or he may fix a date for the consideratrion of petition . in the latter cases he must give notice to petitioner and to any personwhom in his opinion notice should be givn. on the date fixed the petition must be considered in private in presence only of the petitioner the alleged mentally ill person, representatice of the alleged mentally ill person and as such other person as the magistrate think should be present.if the magistrate is satisfied that is necessary to deatin the alleged mentally ill person inpsychiatric hospital,he passes a reception order which is valid for 30 days