New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Wednesday observed that the condition of govt shelters is “pathetic” and ordered govt to conduct a comprehensive health check-up for all inmates of the Asha Kiran shelter for the intellectually challenged in Rohini.The court gave Delhi govt two months to examine the condition of the shelter and the inmates and file a status report. “You can’t deny that the physical condition in these shelters is pathetic,” the bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said, when the govt counsel contended that the condition in Asha Kiran has improved.The counsel told the court that doctors and physiotherapists were available for the inmates. The court replied: “Everything is there. Nobody disputes that. But the ground reality is something different.” The bench said the over 700 inmates should be thoroughly examined by a well-qualified doctor and be administered medicines, if needed.“We feel it appropriate to call upon the respondents to file a status report about the physical conditions prevailing in the shelter home…. 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,” it said.“The information regarding the health condition of the inmates shall be based on a thorough medical examination,” the court added.The directions came while the court was dealing with a PIL, filed by Samadhan Abhiyan. In 2024, the Abhiyan highlighted gaps in the functioning of the home, resulting in the death of 14 inmates, including a child, in July that year. In its plea, the organisation asked for the constitution of an independent committee, headed by a retired high court judge, to probe the death of the inmates. The court earlier asked the social welfare department secretary to act with alacrity and take urgent steps for the recruitment of staff, including doctors. It also ordered urgent measures to decongest the overcrowded home, which then housed over 928 inmates — men, women and children — that was far above its sanctioned capacity of 570.The court also directed the MCD commissioner to relocate the nursing college and hostel complex. Govt agreed to shift the entities to Narela. The court will review the matter in April.
