Mental Treatment Act, 1945

Ill-treatment or neglect.

253.—Where the person in charge of a mental institution or a person employed therein ill-treats or wilfully neglects a patient in the institution, or a person having charge, whether by reason of any contract or of any tie of relationship, marriage, or otherwise, of a person of unsound mind ill-treats or wilfully neglects such person of unsound mind, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable, on summary conviction thereof, to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or, at the discretion of the Court, to both such fine and such imprisonment, or on conviction thereof on indictment, to a fine not exceeding two hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.