The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi government to submit a detailed status report within two months on the physical infrastructure and health conditions of the inmates at Asha Kiran, a government-run shelter home for the intellectually disabled in Rohini, where 14 inmates, including a child, died in July 2024.
A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia instructed that all 700-plus residents of the shelter be thoroughly examined by qualified doctors and that necessary medication be provided. The court emphasised that the medical assessment must be detailed and not cursory.
While the Delhi government counsel informed the bench that doctors and physiotherapists are available at the facility, the bench raised concerns about implementation. “Everything is there. Nobody disputes that. But the ground reality is something different,” the bench orally remarked.
The court also directed a technical audit of the entire building to assess its physical condition. “We feel it appropriate to call upon the respondents to file a status report about the physical conditions prevailing in Asha Kiran shelter home in Rohini. The status report shall be based on a technical audit of the entire building and shall also give details of the inmates, and their physical and health condition shall also be reported,” the court ordered.
In addition to medical and infrastructure reviews, the High Court directed the Delhi government to disclose the sanctioned strength of staff at Asha Kiran, along with current occupancy and vacancy data. This move comes amid long-standing concerns over understaffing and lack of trained personnel at the facility.
The directions were issued while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by ‘Samadhan Abhiyan’, a non-governmental organisation. The PIL had sought an independent investigation led by a retired high court judge into the death of 14 inmates in July 2024, raising questions over systemic neglect.
Earlier, the court had instructed the Secretary of the Social Welfare Department to act urgently to fill vacancies, especially medical positions, and improve overall care standards at the shelter.
The matter is now scheduled for further hearing in April.
