Delhi High Court Orders MCD to Transfer Building for Overcrowded Asha Kiran Shelter Home
The Delhi High Court has instructed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to transfer one of its nursing college and hostel buildings to the Social Welfare Department. This building will be used to accommodate residents from the Asha Kiran shelter home, which is currently overcrowded with over 920 inmates, far exceeding its intended capacity of 570.
The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, emphasized the urgent need for additional space to alleviate overcrowding at the shelter. The court was informed by the Department of Social Welfare that all vacancies for health and non-health staff have been filled.
The Delhi High Court is examining a plea concerning serious issues at the Asha Kiran shelter home, where 14 deaths occurred within a month amid severe staff shortages. The court stressed that acquiring a new building for the shelter is an immediate priority, emphasizing that the situation is critical and cannot be delayed.
The Department of Social Welfare has agreed to purchase the building, with the price to be determined by the MCD and communicated later. The court has directed all concerned authorities to address the urgent needs at Asha Kiran Shelter Home without delay. The Secretary was instructed to prioritize immediate action over procedural formalities and to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder addressing the critical issues.
The court also suggested approaching the Lieutenant Governor for additional funds and recommended hiring contractual employees to address the staff shortage. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday.
The court’s direction came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation by an NGO called Samadhan Abhiyan concerning recent deaths at the shelter home. An official report stated that a total of 25 deaths were recorded from February 2024, with 14 deaths occurring in July alone.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a big court in Delhi where important legal decisions are made.
MCD -: MCD stands for Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which is a local government body that takes care of things like roads, schools, and buildings in Delhi.
Asha Kiran Shelter Home -: Asha Kiran Shelter Home is a place where people who need help, like those without homes or with special needs, can stay and be taken care of.
Social Welfare Department -: The Social Welfare Department is a part of the government that helps people who need support, like the elderly, disabled, or poor.
overcrowded -: Overcrowded means there are too many people in one place, more than it can comfortably hold.
inmates -: Inmates are people who live in a place like a shelter home or a prison.
staff shortages -: Staff shortages mean there are not enough workers to take care of the people who need help.
hearing -: A hearing is a meeting in a court where people talk about legal issues and the judge makes decisions.
