On Monday, the Delhi High Court described the recent deaths of 14 inmates at the city government-run Asha Kiran shelter home for the mentally challenged as a “strange coincidence.” The court has instructed the social welfare secretary to visit the facility on August 6 and submit a report.
The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and including Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, noted that nearly all the deceased had tuberculosis. They have directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to test the water quality at the shelter home and inspect the condition of water and sewer pipelines, and to report back with their findings.
The court emphasized the need for “curative measures” and suggested that if the shelter home is overcrowded, authorities should relocate some inmates to other facilities. The case, which involves a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting an investigation into the deaths, will be reviewed again on August 7.
Since February, 25 inmates have died at the center, which currently accommodates 980 people with intellectual disabilities, including men, women, and children, according to official figures.
