'Contaminated Water, Fungus-Laden Food, Overcrowding': NCW Blames Delhi Govt For Deaths At Asha Kiran Shelter Home

Asha Kiran shelter home is a Delhi government-run facility for the mentally challenged and comes under the Social Welfare department.

National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma on Friday visited the Asha Kiran shelter home in northwest Delhi's Rohini, where around 14 inmates died in the month of July, including a child. After her visit, Rekha Sharma lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government over its negligence, blaming it for the deaths of the inmates, which is said to have been caused due to contaminated water and overcrowding at the place.

The NCW chairperson also stated that Delhi Minister Atishi should be held responsible for the deaths and even asked what the point was in forming a committee now, and where was she when the shelter home was suffering due to lack of resources.

"...She has waken up now after so many deaths...now after the incident has happened she is saying she will get an inquiry done...where was she before?" Sharma said, slamming Atishi.

This comes as the BJP demanded Arvind Kejriwal's resignation, following the deaths. Meanwhile, AAP assured that a strict action will be taken against those responsible for the deaths. Atishi ordered a high-level inquiry and demanded a report within 48 hours.

Asha Kiran shelter home is a Delhi government-run facility for the mentally challenged and comes under the Social Welfare department. The department is without a head, following the resignation of Raaj Kumar Anand.

Following her visit, NCW released a statement, which read: "Chairperson of the NCW led a fact-finding team to Asha Kiran, a Delhi government-run "home for the intellectually retarded" in Rohini. The preliminary inquiry has uncovered numerous administrative lapses, including inadequate medical care, poor hygiene and sanitation, overcrowding, lack of safe drinking water, contaminated food, and lack of staff training. The final report with recommendations will be shared by the commission with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi after the complete inquiry."

Sharma also said that since Anand had resigned, it was the Chief Minister's duty to head the department. "Chief Minister has not resigned. Has he also resigned? And if he has resigned then who is the CM in his place? Is the capital being run without a CM? There are a lot of problems. I will come with a detailed report soon," she said.

"The shelters run by the Delhi government has become death trap for innocent people. In the capacity for 250 people, Asha Kiran has 495 people staying without proper food, water and medication. Atishi should be made responsible for contaminated water they are been provided," she said. 

Enlisting the issues she discovered during her visit, Sharma stated: "The water was found to be contaminated the filtres are not installed anywhere not even in the kitchen... a child passed away within four hours of getting diarrhoea... there is overcrowding...out of those who died, there were seven people who died due to TB...the toilets at the shelter house are not enough...500 people are using 100 toilets, including those who have TB... This is such a big negligence...I have demanded the papers...There is no register for entry and exit...No biometric attendance is there."  

"The staff present here are untrained and unregulated...They have just been hired and are getting on-the-job training...this is despite the fact that the inmates are mentally-challenged and require special attention," she added.

"There are several things on the menu but the food that was being served was covered in fungus...But the children and inmates are not getting anything...Children are dying of starvation," she said.

Rekha Sharma Lashes Out At Atishi, Delhi Govt Over Negligence 

On being asked to comment on the magisterial probe ordered by Delhi Minsiter Atishi, Sharma lashed out saying, "...She has waken up now after so many deaths...She is an incumbent minister...she has got eleven ministries and now after the incident has happened she is saying she will get an inquiry done...where was she before?"

"All the deaths happened in July alone...But three people die every month here... people living on the first floor were the ones who were affected the most...Even if you go now you can't stand there. That place was overcrowded. Many people died due to breathing problems," she said.

"Young lives are lost because of sheer negligence of the Delhi government. Who is responsible for these deaths?" she asked.

"There was a letter written by the in-charge of the place regarding the issues after inmates started dying at the shelter house. I am trying to get that letter...The Delhi government is responsible for this...," she said.

'Will Demand Independent Enquiry From Centre'

"A strict and independent enquiry should be done and I will demand this from the Central government...I will submit my report also to the Central government..." Sharma added.