The State Mental Health Authority has issued show-cause notices against 19 unauthorized private rehabilitation centres and mental health establishments operating across the state.
Two separate show-cause notices were issued on September 9, 2026. The first notice was served on Swapna Foundation, Ujan Abhoynagar, Agartala, for allegedly operating a mental health centre or rehabilitation facility without registration from the competent authority. The authority has also received allegations concerning harm to the health of patients at the facility.
It may be recalled here that eight persons, including owner of Swapna Foundation de-addiction centre, have been arrested in connection with the death of a 42-year-old man at a rehab centre in Agartala on September 5th last. The arrests were made by New capital Complex (NCC) police station, nearly 19 days after the incident.
According to police sources, the arrested persons include rehab centre owner Shubham Biswas and seven other employees of rehab centre under murder charges, who are presently in custody.
The incident concerns the death of Tuhin Shubhra Bhattacharjee, a resident of Ramnagar, who was admitted to the Swapna Foundation Rehab Centre for treatment of drug addiction. His family has alleged that he was subjected to physical assault at the centre.
While, Health department sources said that the Swapna Foundation has been directed to submit its reply within seven days of receiving the notice and explain why action should not be initiated against it under the relevant provisions of law. The authority has warned that failure to submit a satisfactory response within the stipulated period or failure to cooperate with the investigation may result in ex parte action.
The second notice was issued against 18 other organizations for allegedly providing treatment and rehabilitation services to persons with mental illness and substance-use disorders without valid registration or permission under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
Under Section 65(1) of the Act, operating a mental health establishment or rehabilitation centre without registration with the competent authority is unlawful.
The 18 organizations named in the notice are, Jiban Jagriti Foundation – Santirbazar, South Tripura, Holy Foundation – Jirania, West Tripura, Rupayan Foundation – Dashamighat, West Tripura, James Foundation – Jampuijala, West Tripura, Relief Foundation – Bypass Road, Agartala, West Tripura, Hill Foundation – Bachaibari, Khowai, Saksham Rehabilitation Centre – Khumulung, West Tripura, Deep Foundation – Kanchanpur, Dhalai, Bethesda Rehab Facility – Nandanagar, West Tripura, Welfare Society – Muchang, Kamalpur, Dhalai, Serene and Sober Foundation – Shalgara, South Tripura, Relief Foundation – SPO Office, Sepahijala, Radhya Foundation – Barjala, Agartala, West Tripura, Rejuvenation Foundation – Teliamura, Khowai, Yapri Kautal Foundation – Gabardi, West Tripura, Revival Foundation – Tulashikhar, Khowai, TSB Counselling Centre – Takarsala, West Tripura and Edensend Foundation – Bishramganj, Sepahijala.
All 18 organizations have been directed to respond within seven days and explain why action should not be taken against them under the relevant provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. The authority has also warned that failure to provide a satisfactory reply or cooperate with the investigation could lead to unilateral action.
According to the State Mental Health Authority, registration is mandatory for all rehabilitation centres operating in Tripura under the Mental Healthcare Act.
The rehabilitation centres and mental health establishments are also required to operate in accordance with regulations prescribed by the State Mental Health Authority. These regulations include 12 mandatory standards that every centre must follow.
The standards cover several critical areas, including safety measures, food quality, room dimensions, disability-friendly facilities, biomedical safety and other essential requirements.
The authority has observed that a number of centres are allegedly failing to comply with these regulations, potentially compromising the safety and rights of patients.
The State Mental Health Authority has therefore initiated action against centres that have failed to obtain registration or comply with prescribed standards and quality norms. The authority stated that necessary action will be taken under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 if the concerned establishments fail to provide satisfactory explanations within the stipulated period.