Ashram death: Senior officers to appear for probe on Nov 26

The District Programme Officer has been appointed the convener of an inquiry into the death of a 15-year-old minor at the Gandhi Vanita Ashram in Jalandhar, which took place on the night of November 21.

The SDM-II, Jalandhar, Shayari Malhotra, who has been tasked with the inquiry into the minor's death by the DC, today directed the officer to ensure the presence of the CDPO concerned, Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Jalandhar; Investigation Officer, Division Number 2; Superintendent, District Child Welfare Comittee, Jalandhar; Superintendent, Children Home, Gandhi Vanita Ashram, on November 26 at 11 am, for the inquiry.

DC Dr Himanshu Aggarwal had ordered an inquiry into the mysterious death of a minor at the Children Home of the Gandhi Vanita Ashram in Jalandhar on Saturday evening, after the Director, Social Security, Women and Child Development, ordered a probe into the issue.

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 25

The girl from Ferozepur had arrived at the Children’s Home of the Gandhi Vanita Ashram in Jalandhar on November 19 and on the night of November 21, she was reportedly found collapsed at the home's bathroom floor. While the girl was taken to the Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, after being referred from a private hospital on the same night, she was declared brought dead by doctors. The cause of her death is not known so far.

Her sudden death, just two days after arriving at the shelter home, has sparked serious questions. The incident comes against the backdrop of the ashram’s history of security lapses and multiple escape attempts by women inmates.

District Programme Officer Manjinder Singh said, "The cause of the death of the girl can only be ascertained after we receive the post-mortem report."

When questioned why an FIR hasn't been registered, he said, "A magisterial probe has been ordered into the case and it is under probe."