Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 18th September 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a four-year-old girl after falling into an uncovered manhole near her house in Palwal, Haryana

Issues notices to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, Palwal for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a four-year-old girl died after falling into an uncovered manhole while playing near her house in Palwal, Haryana on 14th September 2026. Reportedly, despite several complaints by the local residents to the concerned authorities, the manhole remained uncovered.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, Palwal, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the status of the investigation and compensation, if any, paid to the next of kin of the deceased.

According to the media report, carried out on 16th September 2026, the victim girl's family and local residents found her inside the uncovered manhole and took her in critical condition to the District Civil Hospital, where the doctors declared her dead.

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