14 died in Delhi shelter home; minister Atishi promises action

Out of the 14 inmates who died in July at the Asha Kiran shelter home, some had comorbidities, said Delhi revenue minister Atishi, adding that if any negligence is found, the guilty will not be spared.

The Delhi government has in fact ordered a magisterial probe into the deaths at the Delhi shelter home for the mentally challenged.

Atishi announced the investigation after 14 deaths were reported in July. Earlier, three persons in the home died in January, two in February, again three in March, two in April, one in May and three in June.

Asha Kiran is a Delhi government-run facility for "mentally challenged" and it comes under its Social Welfare department. The department is currently without a head following the resignation of Raaj Kumar Anand. Moreover, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail, has not assigned the charge of the department to any minister.

Serious matter

Addressing a press conference, Atishi said Asha Kiran has 980 inmates and 450 caretakers.

"It is a shelter home for the intellectually disabled. There are different kinds of intellectual disability. Those suffering from profound or serious disability have other comorbidities also. The deaths of the 14 inmates in July is a serious matter," she noted.

Out of the 14 inmates who died, 13 were adults and one was minor. "The autopsy report of the inmates is awaited. But some of the inmates had comorbidities.

"Some of those who succumbed were hospitalised in June. What I am saying is that their deaths need to be medically examined also," she said.

The minister said a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident and its preliminary report will come in 24 hours.

"If any negligence is found on the part of any official, they won't be spared. Police inquiry against them will also be initiated," she added.

(With inputs from agencies)