On NHRC recommendations, the Govt. of Jharkhand pays Rs. 1 lakh in a case of death on allegations of starvation

New Delhi, 09th April 2021

Following the firm view of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC India, in a case of death due to alleged starvation, the Govt. of Jharkhand finally paid the recommended monetary relief of Rs. 1 to the NoK of the deceased for violation of human rights, as he had neither food nor the Ration Card.

The case was registered on the basis of a complaint, supported by a media report dated 21.10.2017 alleging that a labourer had died in Dhanbad District due to starvation, as he was not provided a Ration Card.

In response to the notices of the Commission, the State authorities claimed that the victim had died due to disease and because of starvation/hunger. It was also claimed that the Ration Card was issued to the victim’s family.

The Commission on the basis of material on record, observed that the report by the State Govt. did not mention the disease of the victim leading to his death. It also observed that the victim’s family had applied for the Ration Card on 22.09.2017 and again on 18.10.2017 but the Ration Card was made available on 25.10.2017, after the death of the victim.

The Commission also observed that when it recommended the relief of Rs. 1 lakh, the State Govt. had submitted the same reply as earlier, which the Commission did not accept and reiterated its recommendations.

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