The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought to know from the city government the reason behind the death of 11 patients at a home for the mentally challenged in a span of two months last year.
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar sought to know the reason behind the deaths, which came to light after a surprise inspection by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).
Petitioner Salek Chand Jain, who claims to be a social worker, had urged the court to order registration of an FIR against erring officials on the basis of the post-mortem reports of the inmates.
The DCW’s surprise inspection of Asha Kiran, a home for the mentally challenged, in February last year had found the inhabitants living in extremely inhumane and unhygienic conditions. The inspection was conducted by DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal, who had pointed out “gross human rights violations” in the home.
The DCW had found that four women were sharing a bed, there were not enough blankets for the residents, and wheelchairs were not being used, even as women and children in need were crawling on the floor unattended.
Unsanitary conditions
The petition said the DCW had even found women inmates walking about naked in the corridors during the surprise inspection. It also highlighted unsanitary conditions and overcrowding at the home.
Mr. Jain has urged the court to step in to stop such incidents, including Asha Kiran inmates going missing and not having been traced till date. He also sought an investigation into the reasons for the alleged disappearance of around 250 inmates between 2001-2016.
