NHRC notices to the Centre and Delhi Government over reported death of three minor sisters due to malnutrition/starvation in Mandawali area of National Capital (26.07.2018)

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 26th July, 2018
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that three minor sisters (Mansi, 8 years, Shika, 4 years and Parul, 2 years) allegedly died due to malnutrition / starvation in East Delhi's Mandawali on the 24th July, 2018 as per the per the preliminary post-mortem report.
The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India calling for reports in the matter within four two weeks, whereby both the authorities are requested further to submit the status report of Antodhya Yojana.
The Commission has observed that contents of the media reports, If true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim children. "Right to Food" is an integral part of the Fundamental Right to life so enshrined in Article-21 of the Indian Constitution. Moreover, the National Food Security Act, 2013 has also been enacted to provide food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at an affordable price to all its citizens to live a life with dignity.
It is, therefore, evident that despite legal provisions and machinery in place, the children had to starve to death. The deceased children have been denied their basic human rights. The State authorities, therefore, are lacking in discharging its duty by not fulfilling its obligation without providing food to all.
According to the media reports, carried today on the 26th July, 2018, a Medical Board has been formed to re-conduct the post-mortem and to confirm the exact cause of death. A Magisterial Enquiry has been ordered in the matter. It is further reported that the mother of the victim children is suffering from mental health issues and their father is untraceable.
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