Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 14th August 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported snake bite of six girls leading to three deaths in a hostel in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra

Reportedly, students slept on the floor due to lack of cots

The Commission issues a notice to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The report expected to include the health status of the injured

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that six girl students, belonging to the Scheduled Tribe, were bitten by a snake in a hostel of an Ashram school in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra. Reportedly, they were sleeping on the floor inside their hostel room due to lack of cots. Three of the victim students succumbed to the snake bite, while the remaining three were undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued a notice to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the health status of the injured girl students.

According to the media report, carried on 11th August 2026, 79 girl students are accommodated in a single room of the hostel. The hostel, which has been functional for the last 25 years, lacks basic facilities. Every year, the district reports a significant number of snake bite cases.

*****