The plea sought directions to the AAP government to disclose the reason behind the death of 11 inmates in a span of just two months
The Delhi High Court on Friday will hear a petition seeking a response from the Delhi government on the cause of death of 11 inmates in Asha Kiran home for the mentally-ill.
DNA had earlier reported that the post-mortem reports of five inmates hinted at death due to starvation.
The plea sought directions to the AAP government to disclose the reason behind the death of 11 inmates in a span of just two months. It came up for hearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini. The petitioner, social activist Salek Chand Jain, also urged the court to order registration of FIRs against the erring officials on the basis of the post-mortem reports.
Further, the public interest litigation (PIL) sought an investigation into the reasons for alleged disappearance of around 250 inmates between 2001 and 2016. The matter was listed for consideration on February 17.
Representing Jain, Advocate Sugriva Dubey said the home admits many children every year but has no record of those who go missing. "Even if they have gone missing, were they ever traced? Where is the record?" he questioned.
"Whatever is happening inside the home is highly objectionable and incorrect. Even the RTI replies given by the authorities are not satisfactory. They don't divulge any details and the information provided is not up to the mark," Dubey said.
In his plea, Jain said a Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) member conducted a surprise check at the Asha Kiran home on February 4 and found that inmates were walking around naked in the corridors. DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal also issued a notice to the Social Welfare Department Secretary and constituted a separate inquiry committee to look into the complaints against the home authorities.
The social activist further mentioned the overcrowding at the home and said the court should take steps to put an end to such incidents. He also stated many missing children and inmates have not been traced till date.
The pathetic living conditions at the home were brought to light after a DCW team carried out a surprise inspection on the premises and shared the horrific details, including inmates walking around naked inside the home.
The home, which has a capacity for 500 inmates but houses over 900 people.
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