Illegally detained in a rehabilitation centre 5 times as a minor — looking for legal help (Kolkata)
Hello. I'm 18 years old, based in Kolkata. Between the ages of 14 and 17, I was taken to a private rehabilitation centre five times without my consent, totalling over 50 days of detention.
The reason I was sent there was conflict at home with my parents — behavioral issues typical of a teenager in a difficult home environment. At no point was I assessed by a qualified psychiatrist prior to any admission. No magistrate's order was obtained for any of the five admissions. My parents' signature alone was used to justify each detention — which does not meet the legal standard under the Mental Healthcare Act 2017.
During my time there I was kept with adult criminals and drug addicts. The experience caused me to come out with the worst PTSD of my life that I am still recovering from, currently under psychiatric care and on medication.
During my stay, I discovered this facility operates this way systematically: detaining individuals, including other minors, at the request of family members, with apparent police cooperation. My parents and family were manipulated by the facility's owner into believing this was legitimate rehabilitation.
This is not an isolated case. These facilities exist across India and operate with near-complete impunity.
I am now an adult with full legal standing and I want to pursue this.
Prior to these detentions I had no substance use history whatsoever. My only issue was conflict at home with my parents. The facility's decision to house a minor with adult criminals and addicts directly caused behavioral deterioration that followed my releases.
I am specifically looking for:
Lawyers or advocates with experience in wrongful confinement or Mental Healthcare Act 2017 cases in West Bengal
NGOs working on institutional abuse or illegal detention cases in India
Anyone with experience navigating HRLN, NHRC, or Calcutta High Court for similar cases
Others who have experienced similar situations in rehabilitation facilities
I have documented the incidents in writing and am in the process of obtaining facility records.
If you can help or know someone who can — please reach out.