NHRC takes Suo Motu cognizance of the reported death of two students due to electrocution while cleaning the water tank of a Government run hostel in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh
The National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that
two students, belonging to a Scheduled Tribe, got electrocuted to death while
cleaning a water tank on the instructions of the Superintendent of a
government-run hostel in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on 25th September
2024. According to the media report, carried on 26th September, 2024, the
students came into contact with a live wire connected to a water pump inside
the tank while cleaning it. They were spotted lying in the tank by the
villagers, who reportedly informed the hostel authorities.
The Commission has observed
that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious concern about
human rights violations of the victim students. Going by the media reports, it
appears that the hostel authorities have acted in an insensitive manner by
asking the young boys to execute such a hazardous task resulting in their
deaths.
Accordingly, the Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Madhya Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. It is also expected to include the status of the police investigation and compensation, if any, paid to the aggrieved families of both victims.
