AAP MLA alleges negligence at Asha Kiran Shelter Home; demands action from Delhi LG over deaths

New Delhi [India], August 4 : AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar alleged negligence in 'Asha Kiran,' a Delhi government-run shelter home for the 'intellectually retarded' and demanded action by Lieutenant General VK Saxena against the accused officials.
After visiting the shelter home, AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar said, "We saw a lot of negligence inside. We interacted with the children. We demand that Delhi LG should take action against the officers involved in the matter."
The AAP MLA questioned why the shelter home was under an administrator who was arrested by the CBI in 2016 for taking a "bribe" and remained suspended for five years.
"I want to ask why the shelter home was under an administrator who was arrested by the CBI in 2016 for taking a 'bribe' and remained suspended for five years. I want to ask the LG VK Saxena on what basis such a corrupt officer was appointed as the administrator," he said.
"The officers have committed a lot of negligence. The complaints of the supporting staff were ignored. The committee will prepare a report. The video of the condition inside the shelter home will also be released by the committee," he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj also asked LG Saxena why the administrator has not been suspended yet.
"The officer who has been appointed as the administrator of the shelter home by the central government and LG (VK Saxena) was caught by CBI red-handedly doing corruption in 2016. The officer was suspended for five years. I want to ask the LG VK Saxena on what basis such a corrupt officer was appointed as the administrator. Why the administrator has not been suspended?" he said.
"When transfers and postings take place, generally good officers are given good departments, but those who are suspected of being corrupt are given such postings where there is less possibility of theft. My question to the LG and the central government is why was Rahul Agarwal given responsibility for such a sensitive posting. Rahul Agarwal is the SDM who was caught in 2016 on charges of taking bribe," Saurabh Bharadwaj said.
In response to this, LG VK Saxena on Saturday hit out at the AAP-led Delhi Government over the posting of the administrator at the shelter home.
In a statement from the Delhi LG office, it said, "The administrator of Asha Kiran Home was appointed internally by the Social Welfare Department, which is a fully transferred subject under the control of the CM/ Minister. He was NOT appointed by LG. He was of course posted to the Social Welfare Department being a DANICS officer on February 15, 2020, after approval of the LG. Thereafter, the Minister posted him as Administrator of Asha Kiran Home."
"The press statement issued by AAP is blatantly wrong and arrogantly misleading. Typical abuse and scoot by AAP and its leaders and Ministers," it said.
Meanwhile, as per the official report, the highest number of deaths (14) have been recorded in the month of July in Asha Kiran Shelter Home.
The official report stated that a total of 25 deaths were recorded from February 2024, out of which 14 deaths occurred (Male-6, Female-8) in the shelter home in the month of July only.