Delhi Govt orders inquiry into 14 deaths at Asha Kiran shelter home for mentally ills

New Delhi: Delhi government on Friday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the deaths of 14 people since January 2024 due to health issues and malnutrition at Asha Kiran, a home for the mentally challenged people in the national capital.

Delhi Minister Atishi has asked Additional Chief Secretary Revenue to submit report into the matter within 48 hours.

In a letter, Atishi said, “It is very shocking to hear such bad news in the Capital city of Delhi and we cannot tolerate such kind of lapses, if found true.”

“This is a very serious issue and needs to be thoroughly investigated in order to take hard steps to revamp whole system to improve the conditions of all such homes to provide better facilities to the inmates,” she added.

The Minister further directed ACS Revenue to immediately initiate a magisterial inquiry into the whole matter as reported in the news report and submit a report on the same within 48 hours.

She also directs to recommend action to be taken against those whose negligence has caused these deaths and to recommend suggestive measures to be taken to prevent occurrence of such incidents in future.

Addressing the media on this matter, AAP MLA Dilip Pandey said, "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.”