Asha Kiran Shelter Home Tragedy: 13 Deaths Raise Questions About Delhi Government’s Accountability

New Delhi, India – Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has publicly criticized the Delhi government for its alleged inaction regarding the recent deaths at the Asha Kiran shelter home, a mental health facility run by the Delhi government’s Social Welfare department. In the past 20 days, 13 deaths have been reported at the facility, with causes attributed to “health issues and malnutrition.”

Maliwal highlighted the severe neglect at the shelter home, stating, “In the past 20 days 13 deaths have occurred at Asha Kiran shelter home run by the Delhi government…The reasons are yet not known…When I was there in DCW, I inspected the situation here…the situation here is very bad as there is no proper staffing, and no proper doctors are there.” She further alleged that a report detailing the dire conditions at Asha Kiran was submitted to the Delhi government, but no action was taken.

Maliwal has called for an FIR to be lodged and plans to raise the issue in Parliament. In response to the growing outcry, the Delhi government ordered a magisterial inquiry into the recent deaths, with Delhi minister Atishi directing the additional chief secretary to file a report within 48 hours.

A report by the Times of India indicated that 12 patients, including 10 women, died in the second half of July. Over 45 inmates, an unusually high number, were sent for outside treatments. Only one of the deceased patients’ bodies was received for an autopsy. All exhibited similar symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. The bodies were usually sent to Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, located 2 km away from the facility, where the ill inmates were also treated.

Earlier on Friday, National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma criticized the Delhi government, stating, “Asha Kiran has 450 people staying without proper food, water and medication. Atishi should be made responsible for contaminated water they are being provided.” Sharma demanded accountability from the Delhi government, asking, “Young lives are lost because of sheer negligence of the Delhi government. Who is responsible for these deaths?”

Established in 1989 with a capacity to accommodate 350 people in the Rohini area of North Delhi, Asha Kiran has been operating without a head following the resignation of Raaj Kumar Anand. The facility has come under intense scrutiny for its lack of proper staffing and medical care, leading to the recent tragic events.