Illegal Home for Intellectually Disabled Shut Down in Nilgiris, Burial Ground Found on Premises

Coimbatore: The Tamil Nadu Revenue Department has taken action against an unauthorized facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses in Pandalur, Nilgiris district. The illegal home, operated by the Loveshore Charitable Trust, has been shut down following an inspection that revealed several irregularities and the discovery of a burial ground on the premises.

A. Senthil Kumar, Revenue Divisional Officer (Gudalur), stated that while the trust was registered as a charitable organization, it lacked proper signage and the necessary permissions to care for people with intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses. The facility had been operating in Kunthaladi village, Pandalur taluk, for approximately 25 years without proper authorization from either the Institute of Mental Health, Chennai, or the Commissionerate of Differently-abled Persons.

During the inspection conducted on Monday, July 8, officials found 13 individuals residing at the home. Mr. Senthil Kumar noted, "The people running the facility do not have any permissions to run it, and also do not have any records of their patients, about where they are from or any of their families."

Perhaps the most disturbing discovery was the presence of a burial ground on the property, where around 20 bodies, believed to be those of former inmates who had died at the facility, were found buried. This revelation has raised serious concerns about the practices and accountability of the unauthorized home.

Following the initial inspection, the Revenue Department sealed the premises. On Tuesday, July 9, a team comprising officials from the Revenue, Health, and Police departments visited the facility and rescued all 13 persons staying at the home. The residents were subsequently transferred to a licensed facility in Coimbatore to ensure their proper care and safety.

While Mr. Senthil Kumar stated that there were no apparent signs of abuse perpetrated on the residents, a complaint has been registered with the police against the trust. The authorities are likely to conduct a thorough investigation into the operations of the Loveshore Charitable Trust and the circumstances surrounding the burial ground discovered on the premises.

This incident highlights the critical need for stricter monitoring and regulation of facilities caring for vulnerable individuals, ensuring they operate within legal frameworks and provide adequate care and documentation for their residents.