New Delhi: The Delhi Government has ordered a magistrate inquiry after several people were found dead in the city’s Asha Kiran shelter home, which was built for mentally challenged people. Delhi’s Revenue Minister Atishi has asked the Additional Chief Secretary to submit a report within 48 hours.
In her order, the minister said that as per newspaper reports 14 deaths have been reported from Asha Kiran shelter home since January this year. The deaths have reportedly occurred due to health problems and malnutrition, The tragic incidents also suggested residents of the shelter home were not getting proper facilities.
“After the matter came to the notice of the government, the Delhi government has ordered a magistrate inquiry into the Asha Kiran Shelter Home case. As soon as the investigation report comes, strict action will be taken against the culprits,” news agency ANI quoted AAP MLA Dilip Pandey as saying.
BJP slams Delhi government over the issue
In the meantime, the Bharatiya Janta Party slammed the Delhi Government over the incident on Friday. Hitting out at the Government, BJP Mahila Morcha vice president Rekha Gupta said that while people with disabilities are kept in the shelter home, deaths are constantly being reported from this place. “Asha Kiran’, which is a unit of the Delhi government, where it is said that disabled people are kept and are given care but deaths are constantly happening in this shelter home. In the year 2024, 27 people have died. In July itself, 17 people died, as per our information,”
She added, “The administration is not telling the reason, we don’t know what is there in the SDM inquiry, all the officers are sitting with the gates closed, no one is allowed to go inside, we are not allowed to go inside. As per our information, the children are getting dirty water, they don’t get food, they don’t get treatment. An inquiry should be conducted and all the officers who are involved in this should be punished.”