Asha Kiran Shelter Deaths: Atishi Launches Magisterial Probe Into Mysterious Death Of 13 Children In 20 Days

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi stated that the Asha Kiran shelter home in Delhi is being run with abandoned individuals who have been rescued by the police.

It has been reported that 14 deaths occurred at the shelter in July, including one child. A magisterial enquiry has been ordered to investigate this serious matter.

Atishi's First Reax on Asha Kiran Shelter Deaths

The preliminary report will be submitted within 24 hours. If negligence by any official is found in the report, strict action will be taken against them. The people of Delhi are assured that if any death results from negligence, the responsible person will not be spared. The postmortem report is awaited, and after 24 hours, the preliminary report of the magisterial enquiry will be reviewed to determine the appropriate action.

#WATCH | Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi says, "Asha Kiran shelter home is being run in Delhi...Those who live here are abandoned people rescued by the police...A report is coming that 14 deaths have occurred here in the month of July...among 14 one is a child...This is a… pic.twitter.com/W7oidgM55q

— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2024

How Did 13 Children Mysteriously Die In 20 Days?

An investigation by a sub-divisional magistrate has revealed that 13 children have died at a Delhi government-run shelter home for the specially-abled in the past 20 days. Since January, a total of 27 deaths have been reported at the Asha Kiran shelter home in Rohini, leading to allegations of neglect and poor living conditions from the BJP.

The cause of the deaths at the Asha Kiran shelter home has not yet been determined. The SDM noted that the number of deaths this year significantly exceeds that of the previous year, and the real cause of the fatalities will be established after the post-mortem reports are received. Questions have been raised by the SDM's report regarding the quality of drinking water provided to the children, as reported by India Today.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has dispatched a fact-finding team to the shelter home and criticized the AAP government for negligence. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma stated that the Asha Kiran shelter home has been suffering and people are dying with no action taken by the Delhi government. The NCW is also auditing night shelters run by the Delhi government.

Delhi Minister Atishi has disputed the reported number of deaths and has instructed the additional chief secretary (ACS) of the Revenue Department to initiate a magisterial probe and submit a report within 48 hours. In her letter, Atishi noted that 14 deaths had occurred since January 2024 at the shelter home, as reported by India Today. Recommendations for action against those responsible for negligence and measures to prevent future incidents have also been requested.

A team from the Delhi BJP has visited the Asha Kiran shelter home to assess the situation. BJP Mahila Morcha vice president Rekha Gupta claimed that children were receiving dirty water, inadequate food, and lacked proper treatment, and demanded an inquiry and punishment for the involved officers, as per media reports.

In response, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai criticized the BJP for protesting at Asha Kiran while ignoring a similar tragedy in Mayur Vihar, where a woman and her son had drowned in a drain. Rai emphasized that the Delhi government is monitoring the case closely and assured that those responsible will not be spared, stating that the Delhi government stands with the people.