Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 9th April 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of one and injuries to seven others in an explosion at a private steel plant in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand

Notices issued to the state Chief Secretary and DGP, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The report expected to include the status of the injured person’s health, investigation and compensation to the victims and their NoK

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that one person died and seven others sustained serious injuries after an explosion at a private steel plant in the Hesla area of the Ramgarh district, Jharkhand on 6th April 2026. The incident occurred in the morning while work was in progress. The explosion reportedly occurred due to excessive furnace temperature due to a technical fault or negligence in adhering to the prescribed safety standards.

The Commission has observed that the content of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Jharkhand, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of the injured persons’ health, investigation and compensation, if any, provided to the next of kin (NoK) of the deceased worker and the injured.

According to the media report, carried on 6th April 2026, the injured persons were initially taken to nearby medical centres and later referred to a Ranchi hospital for advanced treatment, where one of the injured workers died during the course of treatment.

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