Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 5th June 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of three persons and injuries to two others after inhaling toxic fumes while manually cleaning a sewage line inside a factory in Ludhiana district, Punjab

Issues notices to the Punjab Chief Secretary, Government and Ludhiana Police Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The report expected to include the status of the investigation, health of the injured workers, as well as compensation, if any, announced by the government

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that on 1st June 2026, three persons died and two others were injured after inhaling toxic fumes while manually cleaning a sewage line inside a factory in Ludhiana district, Punjab. Reportedly, the factory management hired the workers to clear a sewage system used for disposing of chemical waste. They entered the sewer line without any safety equipment and were exposed to toxic fumes.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Punjab Chief Secretary and Ludhiana Police Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of the investigation, health of the injured, as well as compensation, if any, announced by the government.

According to the media report, carried on 2nd June 2026, three workers died on the spot, while two assisting workers lost consciousness and were rushed to the hospital.

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