New Delhi: Responding to the row regarding the appointment of the administrator of Asha Kiran Home, a shelter for mentally challenged individuals, the Delhi LG’s office on Saturday clarified that the administrator, Rahul Agarwal, was appointed internally by the Social Welfare Department, which operates under the control of the Chief Minister and the minister. The LG office emphasised that Agarwal was not appointed by the LG.
“Agarwal was posted to the Social Welfare Department being a DANICS officer on 15.02.2021, after approval of the LG. Thereafter, the Minister posted him as Administrator of Asha Kiran Home,” the LG office stated. They accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of issuing a “blatantly wrong and arrogantly misleading” press statement.
AAP’s allegations
AAP leaders had raised serious questions regarding Agarwal’s appointment, particularly in light of the recent deaths of 14 inmates at Asha Kiran Home. During a press conference, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Agarwal was previously suspended for five years due to a bribery case in 2016.
Bharadwaj said, “I want to know on what grounds the LG appointed Rahul Agarwal as administrator of the shelter home where various irregularities and shortcomings have been reported after an extraordinarily large number of deaths of intellectually challenged persons.”
Bharadwaj further accused the LG of failing to take action against the shelter home administrator and the Social Welfare Department secretary, pointing out that the LG holds the power of transfer and posting of officers. He said, “The responsibility lies with him.”
AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak described the situation as a significant societal failure, alleging, “We got information around two to three days ago that 14 people have died there because they were not given proper water, food, and medical facilities.” Pathak also reiterated claims about Agarwal’s past corruption charges and demanded the public release of a vigilance report on Agarwal.
Delhi govt order magisterial probe
Delhi government has ordered a magisterial probe into the deaths. Revenue Minister Atishi has set a 48-hour deadline for the submission of a preliminary investigation report. She said, “If negligence of any officer, doctor, nurse, caregiver, administrative staff is found in the investigation, strict action will be taken against them.”
Atishi provided some context, noting that Asha Kiran Home accommodates 980 mentally challenged individuals, many of whom have severe disabilities and require complete care. The home has a 24/7 medical care unit with six doctors, 17 nurses, and 450 caregivers working in three shifts.
The LG has also directed an investigation into the operation of all Delhi government-run shelter homes, including Asha Kiran. He described the deaths as “an act of criminality against the most disadvantaged.”
The postmortem reports of the deceased inmates are pending, and the actual cause of death will be determined through these reports and the ongoing magisterial investigation. Atishi assured the public, “If the investigation finds that any of these deaths have happened due to negligence or irresponsible behavior, then no officer will be spared.”