FOURTEEN deaths have been recorded in the month of July in Asha Kiran Shelter Home being run in Delhi’s Rohini area, an official report said. 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. A controversy has erupted over the deaths in the shelter home. 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 and vomiting. Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi said on Friday that out of the 14 inmates who died in July at the Asha Kiran shelter home, some had comorbidities, and added that if any negligence is found, the guilty will not be spared. 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. NCW chief Rekha Sharma visited Asha Kiran, a Government home for the mentally-challenged in Rohini, Delhi, following reports of multiple deaths among its residents. The BJP leaders slammed the AAP led Delhi Government over the deaths of Asha Kiran Shelter Home inmates in Rohini, alleging “irregularities and negligence” at the facility. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Friday directed for a comprehensive inquiry in the state of affairs of all shelter homes of the Delhi Government, including the deaths of inmates at the Asha Kiran facility in Rohini, and sought a report within a week, the Raj Niwas said. He has asked for adequate compensation to be paid to the parents or guardians of the deceased.