The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to submit a detailed report on the health and living conditions of over 700 inmates at Asha Kiran shelter home. The court also ordered a full medical examination and a technical audit of the building following the deaths of 14 inmates in 2024.
The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi government to submit a detailed report within two months on the physical condition of the building and the health condition of inmates living at the Asha Kiran shelter home for persons with intellectual disabilities in Rohini.
The matter was heard by a bench headed by Justice D K Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, along with Justice Tejas Karia.
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The court directed that all more than 700 inmates at the shelter home must undergo a complete medical examination by a well-qualified doctor. The bench also ordered that medicines should be provided wherever necessary to ensure proper medical care.
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the Delhi government informed the court that doctors and physiotherapists were already available at the shelter home. However, the bench was not fully convinced by this assurance and orally observed,
“Everything is there. Nobody disputes that. But the ground reality is something different,”
pointing out the difference between official claims and the actual situation on the ground.
Apart from health checks, the court also directed the authorities to carry out a technical audit of the Asha Kiran shelter home building to assess its structural and physical condition. The court made it clear that the status report should cover both the infrastructure of the shelter and the wellbeing of the inmates.
While passing the order, the bench noted,
“We feel it appropriate to call upon the respondents to file a status report about the physical conditions prevailing in Asha Kiran shelter home in Rohini. The status report shall be based on a technical audit of the entire building and shall also give details of the inmates, and their physical and health condition shall also be reported,”
clearly outlining the scope of the report expected from the authorities.
The court further emphasised the importance of a proper medical assessment and stated,
“The information regarding the health condition of the inmates shall be based on a thorough medical examination which shall be conducted by a well-qualified doctor,”
underlining that superficial reports would not be accepted.
In addition, the Delhi High Court asked the Delhi government to disclose the sanctioned strength of staff at the shelter home, along with details regarding existing vacancies and the current number of inmates residing there. This direction was issued to understand whether staff shortages were affecting the care of residents.
The case arises from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by ‘Samadhan Abhiyan’ following the death of 14 inmates, including a child, at the Asha Kiran shelter home in July 2024.
The petitioner had sought the formation of an independent committee headed by a retired High Court judge to investigate the deaths and the overall functioning of the shelter.
Earlier, the High Court had already directed the Secretary of the Social Welfare Department to act urgently and take immediate steps, particularly for recruiting adequate staff, including doctors, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of inmates at Asha Kiran.
The court has listed the matter for further hearing in April, by which time the Delhi government is expected to place the detailed status and audit reports on record.
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