NHRC notice to the Bihar Chief Secretary, Patna SSP and Municipal Corporation Commissioner over the reported death of two ill-equipped sanitation workers while cleaning drainage

New Delhi 13th April, 2023

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that two workers were choked to death after they entered to clean an underground drain in Transport Nagar area in Patna, Bihar on 11th April, 2023. Reportedly, they were not provided with any safety gear by the employer company involved in cleaning drainage.

The Commission has observed that the contents of a media report, if true, amount to a serious issue of violation of the right to life of the victims. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, and the Commissioner, Patna Municipal Corporation calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks. It is expected to include the status of the FIR registered in the matter, departmental action taken against the responsible persons, and the relief and rehabilitation provided to the aggrieved families by the state authorities.

The Commission has been consistently advocating a complete ban on the activities of hazardous cleaning without adequate and proper protective/safety gear or equipment. It has also issued an Advisory to the centre, states, and local authorities in this regard on 24th September, 2021.

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