NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of a media report about four persons’ death while cleaning sewage treatment plant without protective gear in Virar, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi:13th April,2024

NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of a media report about four persons’ death while cleaning sewage treatment plant without protective gear in Virar, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Notices issued to the State government calling for reports within four weeks

It is to include the status of the implementation of the Supreme Court guidelines and NHRC advisory about the hazardous cleaning

The National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC),India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that four persons, all aged about 20 years, died of suffocation after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a private sewage treatment plant in a residential township in Virar area of Mumbai in Maharashtra.Reportedly, the preliminary investigation has revealed that the workers, all of them residents of Vasai area, had entered the sewage plant without any safety gear.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights. The negligence on the part of the contractor in the instant case is apparent that the victims were deputed to execute such a hazardous work without any safety precautions violating the law and the prescribed norms as well as the NHRC advisory. It is the duty of the State authorities to spread awareness amongst the common people about the danger of hazardous cleaning without using safety gears/ equipment.

Accordingly, the Commission has issued the notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Maharashtra calling for a detailed report in the matter. It should include action taken against the guilty and status of compensationif any, paid to the next of kin of the deceased persons.The Commission would also like to know whether the Apex Court guidelines and NHRC advisory are being complied with by the authorities concerned.The response is expected within four weeks.

According to the media report, carried on 10th April, 2024 all the four victims were in their twenties. They were rushed to a hospital where they were declared brought dead. The two other workers, who went near the plant to look for them, also complained of uneasiness and needed treatment.

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