The Delhi government has initiated a magisterial enquiry into the alarming deaths at Asha Kiran, the city's sole government-run facility for individuals with mental health issues. This decision follows a shocking report from The Times of India, which claimed that 12 inmates died between July 15 and July 31, allegedly due to health issues and malnutrition.
Delhi's Revenue Minister, Atishi, has directed the additional chief secretary (ACS) to submit a detailed report within 48 hours. ?It is very shocking to hear such bad news in the capital city of Delhi, and we cannot tolerate such kind of lapses, if found true. This is a very serious issue and needs to be thoroughly investigated,? Atishi stated. She emphasized the importance of holding those responsible for any negligence accountable and implementing measures to prevent future incidents.
In the official order, Atishi instructed the ACS to "immediately initiate a magisterial enquiry into the whole matter and submit a report on the same within 48 hours? Recommend action to be taken against those whose negligence has caused these deaths? Recommend suggestive measures to be taken to prevent occurrence of such incidents in future."
The Times of India report revealed that 12 inmates, including 10 women, died in the latter half of July, with only one body sent for autopsy earlier in the month. It also highlighted data from Asha Kiran's medical care unit, which showed an unusually high number of 54 inmates requiring outside treatment in July.
Anjali Sehrawat, the director of the Delhi government's social welfare department, acknowledged the increase in deaths but contested the reported figure of 12 in late July. ?There has been a surge in the deaths of inmates, but that can be attributed to multiple things,? Sehrawat told TOI.
Asha Kiran, located in North Delhi's Rohini, was established in 1989 with a capacity to accommodate 350 people and is managed by the Delhi government's Social Welfare Department. The facility has faced numerous controversies over the years, primarily due to the deaths of its inmates.
The latest incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for accountability. The Delhi government?s swift response, with a magisterial enquiry, aims to uncover the truth behind the tragic deaths and ensure that such incidents do not recur. The enquiry will also focus on assessing the care and facilities provided at Asha Kiran and whether systemic failures contributed to the fatalities.
