Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 7th May 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of two sanitation workers while cleaning a sewer without protective gear in Greater Faridabad, Haryana

Issues notices to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation and Commissioner of Police, Faridabad, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The report is expected to include the status of the investigation and compensation to the next of kin of the deceased

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that two sanitation workers died while cleaning a sewer at the Puri Pranam Society in Greater Faridabad, Haryana on 2nd May 2026. Reportedly, the workers had entered a manhole on the directions of the Estate Manager of the building without being provided any protective gear or gas masks.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation and the Commissioner of Police, Faridabad, Haryana, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of the investigation and compensation paid to the next of kin of the deceased persons.

Issuing the notices, the Commission has noted with concern that despite guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and the NHRC advisory emphasising the use of mechanised cleaning of sewers with adequate safety gear to the sanitation workers, such incidents continue to occur frequently in the country.

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