Delhi High Court Orders Urgent Action at Asha Kiran Shelter Home After Multiple Deaths

The Delhi High Court has directed all concerned authorities to address the urgent needs at the Asha Kiran Shelter Home without delay. Expressing both urgency and disappointment, the Court instructed the Secretary to prioritize immediate action over procedural formalities and stressed that financial constraints should not be a barrier to addressing the critical issues.

The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, asked the Secretary to request additional resources and staff, including contractual hires, to address the emergency. The court recorded the assurance from the Social Welfare Secretary that he will personally monitor the situation. The bench also directed the Secretary to file a fresh status report by Monday and urged him not to feel helpless, emphasizing the need to address the crisis effectively.

The court 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. During the hearing, the secretary from the Social Welfare Department apprised the court that they have relocated 14 males to Asha Deep and 10 females to Asha Jyoti. Additionally, due to the current conditions, they have set up a dormitory at Asha Kiran and are temporarily housing 70 adult females in an air-conditioned auditorium to manage the heat.

During the hearing, the bench directed the secretary to take immediate action to address the shelter’s inadequate facilities. The court suggested bringing in mobile toilets and installing air conditioners to make the dormitory functional. The court noted that despite the efforts, the shelter is still dealing with an excess of 400 inmates. The bench emphasized the urgency of the situation by highlighting that human lives are invaluable and must be protected.

The bench insists that the Secretary act swiftly to address the deficiencies at the shelter, including ensuring that the facilities are connected to nearby hospitals and that fully equipped ambulances are stationed at these locations. The court stresses that if these measures are not implemented, there should be accountability and changes in management.

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Secretary of Social Welfare Ministry of the Government of NCT Delhi to visit the shelter home tomorrow and submit a report in connection with the recent death of several inmates at Asha Kiran, a shelter home in Rohini’s Delhi for the intellectually disabled. The Court’s direction came on Monday while hearing a Public Interest Litigation by a NGO called Samadhan Abhiyan concerning deaths that took place in the said Shelter Home recently.

The official report stated that a total of 25 deaths were recorded from February 2024, out of which 14 deaths occurred (Male-6, Female-8) in the shelter home in the month of July only. The report from Asha Kiran Shelter Home to the Delhi Government mentioned loose motion and unconsciousness as being the reason behind deaths. Other reasons included mild fever, loose stools, and vomiting.

Reacting to the incident, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi recently said, “Asha Kiran shelter home is being run in Delhi. Those who live here are abandoned people rescued by the police. A report is coming that 14 deaths have occurred here in July, among 14 one is a child. This is a serious matter and to investigate this a magisterial enquiry has been ordered. The preliminary report will be submitted within 24 hrs. If there is any negligence seen in the report by any official, strict action will be taken against them.”