Ashram deaths: NHRC notice to CS

Indore: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday took cognizance of deaths of children at a local ashram and issued notice to Madhya Pradesh chief secretary seeking a detailed report within one week.
As many as six children had died and around 60 were admitted to the hospital after spread of cholera at Shri Yugpurush Dham Boudhik Vikas Kendra from June 29 to July 2.The ashram is also accused of hiding a death and allowing disposal of the body without an autopsy.
The NHRC observed that being custodian of the children, it becomes the duty of the ashram management and the supervising government officers to provide them with a safe environment including hygienic food and proper medical care.
The commission asked the chief secretary to give a detailed report that includes the present health status of the children and treatment records of those who died. NHRC also sought to know the steps taken to improve the overall condition of the ashram so that such incidents do not recur. The NHRC sought specific details about an SDM, who was suspended on the allegations of behaving in an insensitive manner while inquiring into the matter at the shelter home.
The commission has also asked its special rapporteur, Shri Umesh Kumar Sharma, to visit the ashram to conduct a spot inquiry and submit a report at the earliest.
In Indore, district collector Asheesh Singh told reporters that the ashram had failed to inform authorities about the spread of infection among the children. “If the information would have been passed on, we could have saved some of those who died,” he said.
On basis of an interim report submitted by a local probe committee, the collector had sent a notice to the ashram management asking them why a criminal case should not be registered against them for concealing information about the death and other irregularities.
The ashram is expected to tender a reply by Sunday.
The ashram has a total of 204 inmates, including orphans and those suffering from mental ailments. The first death was recorded at the ashram on June 29. Four children died inside the ashram between July 1 and July 2 after suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea, while another passed away on June 30 allegedly due to seizures. TNN