Since the start of the year, a staggering 28 inmates have died at a Delhi shelter home, with 14 of these deaths, including that of a child, occurring in July alone. This alarming toll has prompted the state government to initiate an investigation.
On Monday, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Jal Board to assess the water quality and examine the condition of sewer pipelines at the Asha Kiran shelter home, a Delhi-government-operated facility for the mentally challenged in Rohini. The also court instructed the Delhi government’s social welfare secretary to submit a detailed report on the living conditions at the shelter.
A bench comprising Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed concern over the high number of deaths in a short period, suggesting it could not be mere coincidence.
“There are too many deaths in a short span of time. 14 deaths in number. It cannot be a coincidence,” the bench said.
Observing that the deceased inmates were suffering from tuberculosis, the court mandated an immediate test of the shelter home’s water quality and the state of its sewer pipelines. The court requested reports from both the Delhi Jal Board and the social welfare secretary and scheduled a follow-up hearing for August 7.
The bench also ordered that the shelter home be decongested. The social welfare secretary has been directed to visit the Asha Kiran Complex on Tuesday and present a report to the court. If overcrowding is identified, the court has instructed that the facility be decongested and affected occupants be relocated to suitable alternatives.
The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that called for a court-monitored investigation into the deaths. The petition, filed by Samadhan Abhiyan, also requested a CBI inquiry and a social audit of all shelter homes in the national capital to reveal the true living conditions and ensure accountability.
The court highlighted two critical aspects of the situation: first, the need for a criminal investigation and determination of responsibility, and second, the urgent implementation of remedial measures.
While the investigation may take time, immediate action is required to address and rectify the issues at hand. If problems exist, they must be identified and resolved as a priority, the court stated.
The court said that if there is a shortage of drinking water at the shelter home, measures must be taken to ensure a sufficient supply. Similarly, if sanitary conditions are inadequate, steps must be taken to ensure the availability of enough staff to address these issues.
The Asha Kiran shelter home falls under the Social Welfare Department, which has been without a minister since Raaj Kumar Anand resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in April and joined the BJP. On Friday, Delhi Minister Atishi directed the revenue department to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the deaths. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has also ordered an investigation into the incidents.
Earlier this month, AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar raised concerns about the center’s management and urged the Delhi LG to take action against the officials. “I want to ask why the shelter home was under an administrator who was arrested by the CBI in 2016 for taking a ‘bribe’ and remained suspended for five years. I want to ask the LG VK Saxena on what basis such a corrupt officer was appointed as the administrator,” he said.
National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma, who visited Asha Kiran, reported that the facility was overcrowded and lacked adequate facilities. “Most of the deaths have been because of diarrhoea. Prima facie, it appears the water is contaminated. I checked the kitchen, where there are no water filters. Overcrowding is also a reason. In this heat, 495 people have been crammed into a place meant for 250. Toilets have not been working for two months and they have a capacity of only 100,” she said Who is responsible for these deaths @AtishiAAP?” she added.
