New Delhi: Nutrient-deficient food, unfiltered water, and cramped spaces — these are some of the problems plaguing the inmates at the Asha Kiran shelter home in Rohini, according to staffers and the residents in the neighbouring area.
An investigation by a sub-divisional magistrate has revealed that at least 14 inmates died between 15 July and 31 July at the Delhi government-run facility for persons with cognitive disabilities. A minor, six women and seven men are among those who died last month, according to official sources. This year, the facility has reported 27 deaths since January.
One of the caregivers stood guarding two beds in the facility Saturday. A young girl in her late teens lay quietly on one bed while an older woman strapped to the other bed with ropes cried and screamed for help.
The caregiver told ThePrint on condition of anonymity that the shelter home has space to accommodate only 400 but is crammed with at least 1,200.
“During the peak heat of Delhi, at least 100 people slept in a room with the capacity for only a few with no beds, fans or ACs,” the caregiver said.
The food served at the shelter for the inmates is the same meagre affair every day of the week. The day begins with a cup of tea, with nothing to accompany it, followed by lunch consisting of oats or dal and one chapati. Then comes the 4 pm tea, ending with a dinner similar to lunch at 7 pm.
“I don’t know how the quality of the food is, but I know it is not enough for either children or adults who regularly suffer from different kinds of illnesses,” the caregiver said.
She said the shelter home also lacks water purifiers or filters, and the inmates directly drink tap water that the facility receives daily in water tankers.
“We used to ask the senior officials to at least resolve the water issue, but nothing was done,” the caretaker added.
Official sources said that most of the inmates — who died over 16 days in July — were suffering from health issues, including lung infections, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
A police officer told ThePrint that several patients admitted to the state government-run Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital over the last few months just happened to die in July. The Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital is the nearest health facility to the shelter home, located just 2 km away.
“It is a coincidence that these deaths happened in July. They had been ill for months,” the officer said.
ThePrint reached doctors at Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital via calls. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
The caregiver said that while Asha Kiran has its doors open for homeless persons with cognitive disabilities, the condition of inmates remains miserable even after they’re taken in, as the senior officials continue to fail to take cognisance of the problems plaguing them.
“Every day, in front of us, at least 15-20 inmates fall sick and are admitted to different hospitals. Today, the issue is getting media attention. But this has been going on for a long time,” said the caregiver.
Also read: A Delhi family has produced doctors for 5 generations in 104 years. Gen 6 is now rebelling
‘Horrible living conditions’
Set up in 1989, the Delhi government-run residential facility in Rohini’s Sector 1 is where intellectually challenged persons from different parts of Delhi are brought in and given a roof over their heads.
The police officer said that most inmates are rescued from the streets, and during admission, the facility first gets their IQ tests done. For those who remember the names of their parents or other relatives, the facility tries to reconnect them with their families. But, those who do not remember any names end up in Asha Kiran after local courts approve their admission to the shelter home.
The facility takes in those above 18 years of age, with an internal admission committee overseeing their admissions.
“However, the biggest challenge has been that when a court orders the home to admit an intellectually challenged person, it can’t deny admission even if there is no space,” said the police officer. “There is no option for the facility to declare itself ‘room-full’, and there is no other shelter home. So, everyone is helpless, no one knows what else to do.”
However, this is not the first time Asha Kiran has come under the lens. Between 2011 and 2017, 123 men and 73 women who were inmates at Asha Kiran died, records show.
ThePrint spoke to a shopkeeper in the area, who, on the condition of anonymity, said that the shelter home stinks throughout the year due to a lack of sanitation, hygiene and other facilities.
A daily wager who works at the shelter home corroborated this, adding that many critically ill inmates are not taken care of properly.
“The living conditions are horrible,” he said.
Also read: ‘Jab ghar mein jeena mushkil ho’ — what it’s like living near Delhi’s Okhla waste-to-energy plant
Way ahead
On Friday, Delhi’s Education Minister Atishi initiated a magisterial investigation into Asha Kiran following the 14 deaths. She has demanded a preliminary report within 48 hours.
At a press conference, Atishi said 24/7 medical staff, including six doctors, 17 nurses, and 450 caregivers (auxiliary nurse midwives) look after 980 inmates at Asha Kiran.
Stressing on the seriousness of the deaths, she said if the investigation finds any negligence by staffers, it will lead to strict actions against them — including the potential involvement of the police.
Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has attributed the deaths to a failure of duty and called such a failure a potential criminal act. He has ordered a thorough review of the financial and operational aspects of all government-run shelters and demanded a report naming those found responsible for any lacunae within three weeks.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Saturday, issued notices to both the Delhi government and the city police chief over the deaths of Asha Kiran inmates. The NHRC has also initiated a suo motu inquiry into the 14 deaths in July, mentioning that more inmates are currently under treatment at different hospitals.
Data from Asha Kiran’s medical unit has revealed that the facility sent 54 inmates to hospitals for treatment in July, raising concerns and allegations about the potential neglect of inmates and the substandard living conditions at the facility, the NHRC has highlighted.
The Delhi government and the L-G office are currently engaged in a war of words over the appointment of a 2012-batch Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services officer, convicted in a bribery case in 2016, as the administrator of Asha Kiran after he returned to the service.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
Also read: L-G Saxena directs use of Miyawaki forest technique, aquatic forests to increase Delhi’s green cover