Today, On 7th August, The Delhi High Court directed authorities to promptly address the urgent needs of residents at the Asha Kiran Shelter Home. The court emphasized that these issues should be resolved without delay to ensure the well-being of the shelter’s inhabitants.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court mandated that all relevant authorities promptly address the urgent needs at the Asha Kiran Shelter Home. Expressing both urgency and disappointment, the court instructed the Secretary to prioritize immediate action over procedural formalities, emphasizing that financial constraints should not hinder resolving critical issues.
The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and including Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, directed the Secretary to request additional resources and staff, including contractual hires, to address the emergency.
The court noted the assurance from the Social Welfare Secretary that he would personally monitor the situation. The bench also instructed the Secretary to file a fresh status report by Monday and encouraged him to proactively address the crisis, even suggesting approaching the Lieutenant Governor for additional funds and considering the hiring of contractual employees to alleviate staff shortages.
The next hearing scheduled for Monday.
During the hearing, the Social Welfare Department’s Secretary informed the court that 14 males have been relocated to Asha Deep and 10 females to Asha Jyoti.
Additionally, due to the current conditions, a dormitory has been set up at Asha Kiran, and 70 adult females are temporarily housed in an air-conditioned auditorium to manage the heat. The bench directed the Secretary to take immediate action to address the shelter’s inadequate facilities, stressing the need for a swift and effective response.
Court directed urgent measures to address the critical needs at Asha Kiran Shelter Home. The court suggested installing mobile toilets and air conditioners to make the dormitory functional. Despite ongoing efforts, the shelter continues to deal with an excess of 400 inmates.
The bench emphasized the urgency, stating,
“Human lives are invaluable and must be protected.”
The court insisted that the Secretary act promptly to rectify the shelter’s deficiencies. This includes ensuring that the facilities are connected to nearby hospitals and that fully equipped ambulances are stationed on-site. The court stressed that if these measures are not implemented, there should be accountability and potential changes in management.
On Monday, the Delhi High Court ordered the Secretary of the Social Welfare Ministry of the Government of NCT Delhi to visit the shelter home and submit a report regarding the recent deaths of several inmates at Asha Kiran, a shelter home in Rohini for the intellectually disabled. This directive issued while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to the recent deaths at the shelter.
During a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation by the NGO Samadhan Abhiyan, the Court addressed recent deaths at a shelter home. According to an official report, 25 deaths have been recorded since February 2024, with 14 of them occurring in July alone at Asha Kiran Shelter Home. Among these 14 deaths, six were male and eight were female.
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The report to the Delhi Government cited loose motion, unconsciousness, mild fever, loose stools, and vomiting as the causes of death.
Reacting to the incident, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi stated,
“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 hours. If there is any negligence seen in the report by any official, strict action will be taken against them.”
The Court’s directive aims to address the immediate needs and improve conditions at the shelter home, ensuring the well-being and safety of its residents. The magisterial inquiry ordered by the Delhi Government will provide an initial report within 24 hours, which will be crucial in determining any lapses or negligence by officials involved in the shelter home’s operations.
The court emphasized that any identified negligence will be met with strict action to prevent further tragedies and safeguard the vulnerable individuals residing at Asha Kiran Shelter Home.