The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi government’s social welfare secretary to immediately appoint doctors, other health staff, and non-health cadres at the Asha Kiran shelter centre, which had recently witnessed the deaths of 14 inmates.
Asking the Delhi government to "think outside the box and spend some money", the court emphasised that urgent steps need to be taken to address the staff crunch.
If sanctions aren’t given by the Chief Secretary and the Lieutenant Governor, the court will pass judicial orders, a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan stated.
"We have lost 14 lives in 20 days. Human lives today don't have a cost. The day before, we dealt with the UPSC matter where three children lost their lives. Yesterday, we dealt with a case where two people lost their lives. You must act with alacrity. We may lose someone in the process," the court said.
The court was informed that there were 12 health vacancies and a shortage in the non-medical cadre as well. The Secretary submitted that he doesn’t have the power to do the same and that the files are already in process with the Chief Secretary.
The High Court said, “As far as the staff is concerned, even in the non-health cadre, the situation is not good. You are the secretary, you wield enough power. Have faith in yourself. When 14 people have lost their lives, surely you can exercise extraordinary powers in this situation.”
The court asked the officer to expedite the requirements with the Chief Secretary and Lieutenant Governor. “If they don’t give it to you, we will pass a judicial order.”
“Don’t feel helpless. You are a powerful man. Please get it done and come back. If they don’t sanction it, we will, but recruit the best people and don’t let us down in the process,” the court said.
The court also suggested that AC units be installed at the centres and that mobile toilets be stationed outside.
“Think out of the box, spend some money. The state has enough money. Money shouldn’t be a problem in such matters. They will release money; if they don’t, we can pass judicial orders,” the High Court said.
The court has directed the Social Welfare Secretary to file a fresh status report, who will personally monitor the situation.
“Today, none of the senior officials are visiting the site. We are trusting you, giving you full power. If you want orders to be passed, we will pass orders. If there’s a manpower shortage, we shall give you power to have contractual people,” the bench said.
The court also told the welfare secretary to communicate to the Chief Secretary that things are not good at the Asha Kiran Centre and that a dedicated officer needs to be stationed there.
Fourteen inmates, including a child, died in the Asha Kiran shelter home in northwest Delhi's Rohini, a government-run facility for the 'mentally challenged' which comes under its Social Welfare Department.
The High Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the constitution of an independent committee headed by a retired high court judge to probe the incident. The court will continue hearing the matter on August 12.
