Summary: The Delhi High Court has overturned the punishments against CRPF officer Chhattar Singh, highlighting the importance of considering mental health in the workplace. The court stressed the need to make reasonable changes for employees with mental health issues.
On December 3, 2025, the Delhi High Court made a big decision about Chhattar Singh, a CRPF officer. The case was about punishments given to him, which included forcing him to retire and cutting his pension because of alleged bad behavior. Chhattar Singh argued against these actions, pointing out his mental health condition.
The accusations started on July 29, 2018, when Chhattar Singh was said to be missing from work and not following orders at the Ferozepur-Jhirka Firing Range. More incidents in October 2018 involved a fight with a boss, leading to his suspension. He was eventually charged with four things, including using force against a boss.
Chhattar Singh was found to have Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) and moderate depression. Even though doctors advised against him handling guns, the punishments continued. At first, he was forced to retire with a 30% cut in his pension on May 1, 2019.
Mental Health Consideration: The court, led by Justice Om Prakash Shukla and Justice C. Hari Shankar, stressed the need to make adjustments for mental health conditions under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The court found that Chhattar Singh's mental illness should have been considered during the punishments.
Violation of Rights: The court noted that Chhattar Singh was not allowed to see his medical records, which was against his rights. The punishments were considered unfair for not making reasonable changes for him.
Outcome: The court canceled the punishments, gave Chhattar Singh his job back with full benefits, and said the time he was suspended should count as "duty for all purposes." The court also said that any future jobs should not involve guns, considering Chhattar Singh's mental health.
The court's decision highlights the importance of understanding and accommodating mental health issues in the workplace. Chhattar Singh was reinstated with full benefits, and it was ordered that he should not handle firearms in the future due to his mental health condition.
