New Delhi: Asha Kiran Home in Rohini, Delhi, has recently come under intense scrutiny. This facility, which is managed by the Delhi government and serves as a home for mentally challenged children, has seen 13 child deaths in the past month. In response, Delhi Minister Atishi has mandated a magistrate inquiry into these tragic incidents.Disturbing death toll Documents obtained by Aaj Tak reveal that 27 children have died at Asha Kiran Home in the past seven months, with a shocking 13 deaths occurring in July alone. The administrations silence on this grave issue raises serious concerns. Reports suggest that inadequate care and poor drinking water conditions are contributing factors to these deaths.Government response and investigationMinister Atishi has called for a thorough magistrate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths at Asha Kiran. The obtained documents detail a monthly death toll, with 13 children dying within just 20 days in July. The ongoing deaths this year have been recorded as follows: 3 in January, 2 in February, 3 in March, 2 in April, 1 in May, 3 in June, and 13 in July. Despite the severity of the situation, the Asha Kiran administration has remained uncommunicative.Delhi Min. Atishis Strict Orders into the Asha Kiran Shelter Home Incident.Minister @AtishiAAP directs Addl. Chief Sec. Revenue to :▪️Initiate a Magisterial Inquiry.▪️Take Action Against Negligent officers.▪️ Recommend Measures to Prevent such incidents.The Delhi… pic.twitter.com/eo4zjmGhN3— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) August 2, 2024What are the possible causes Asha Kiran Home, located in Rohinis Sector 3, houses mentally challenged children and adults. Allegations have surfaced that residents are not receiving proper care, leading to the recent surge in deaths. Previous incidents of similar nature had led to actions against the officials, but the current death toll is unprecedented. While the lack of post-mortem reports is cited as a reason for delayed action, the SDM suggests that contaminated water could be a cause.National Womens Commission steps inRekha Sharma, Chairperson of the National Womens Commission, has announced that a fact-finding team will visit Asha Kiran Home. This team aims to meet with responsible officials and evaluate the conditions leading to these deaths. Questions are being raised about the adequacy of care provided at these shelters and whether such patients should be housed in hospitals instead.#WATCH | Delhi: National Vice President BJP Mahila Morcha, Rekha Gupta says ...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… https://t.co/5oyd1R43vI pic.twitter.com/V8uSaLteOE— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2024AAP accuses BJP of politicising the issueDelhi Minister Gopal Rai has accused the BJP of politicizing the issue, noting their absence at other recent protests in Mayur Vihar. Rai emphasized that the Delhi government is closely monitoring the situation and assured that those responsible will face consequences.
