Third Girl Dies at Aasra Grih Shelter Home in Patna; Food Poisoning Suspected

Patna: The death of a third girl from the Aasra Grih shelter home in Patel Nagar, Patna, was confirmed on Wednesday evening at PMCH. The 12-year-old girl, whose name has not been disclosed, was receiving treatment in the pediatric department. This marks the third death at the hospital following an apparent food poisoning incident, with eight other girls still receiving treatment in the emergency ward. Two girls have already been discharged.

The previous deaths include Mohini Kumari on November 7 and Geeta Kumari on November 10. Authorities claim that the health crisis started after the girls consumed Khichdi (a rice and lentil dish) on November 7.

District Magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh launched an inquiry into the incident, forming a committee with members including the District Welfare Officer, District Program Officer, Medical Officer in charge, and Food Safety Officer. The committee’s report indicates that the girls suffered from food poisoning after consuming Khichdi at the shelter home.

The report further reveals that due to transportation issues on the day of the Chhath festival, the girls could not be taken to the hospital in time. This delay in treatment worsened the condition of one of the girls, leading to a rise in her blood pressure and, eventually, her death.

Four counselors have been appointed by the Social Welfare Department to look after the girls at Aasra Grih. Following the latest death, a case of unnatural death was registered at Shastrinagar police station, based on a complaint filed by the shelter home’s guard, Birju Kumar. However, this case does not mention the third girl’s death.

The Bihar Child Rights Protection Commission conducted an inspection of Aasra Grih on Wednesday. Commission member Dr. Hulesh Manjhi stated that 45 girls are currently residing there. According to the shelter home’s superintendent, the girls’ deaths were caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, triggered by vomiting and diarrhea. However, the post-mortem reports are still awaited.

The commission instructed authorities to investigate the food and medicines provided to the girls on the day of the incident. Additionally, they recommended reviewing a week’s worth of CCTV footage and suggested keeping healthy and mentally ill girls in separate facilities. Commission members Sangeeta Thakur, Sheela Pandit, and Rakesh Kumar Singh were also part of the inspection team.

The Social Welfare Department has responded to the crisis by ordering the appointment of a female doctor at all girls’ homes across the state. A letter has been issued to all district child protection units in this regard.

One of the girls undergoing treatment revealed that the trouble began after consuming Khichdi on the morning of November 7. She said that many girls started vomiting and fainting shortly afterward. Despite receiving primary treatment at the shelter home, their conditions continued to worsen.

The district administration reported that Aasra Grih has a capacity of 50, but was housing 45 girls at the time of the incident. A total of 19 staff members, including a superintendent, counselor, two home mothers, and an ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife), were responsible for the care of the girls.

Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni expressed his disappointment, stating that he was not informed about the deaths and the hospitalization of 10 girls. The minister said he only learned of the incident after the first death due to food poisoning on the evening of Chhath.

Local authorities stated that on November 7, a report was made about a girl’s health deteriorating. She passed away at the hospital during treatment. Another girl fell ill and died on November 10. The shelter home informed the police about the illness on November 8, and since then, a doctor, two ANMs, and an ambulance have been deployed to the shelter until November 17.

It has also come to light that a boys’ hostel operates in the same building as Aasra Grih in Patel Nagar. The building, owned by Amitabh Chandra Mukul, previously housed two other hostels. Local residents reported that the shelter home staff often communicated with them in the past, but in recent times, the staff and guards of Aasra Grih have become increasingly secretive.

The shelter home houses girls who are mentally challenged, many of whom cannot speak or perform daily tasks independently.