NHRC notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary, DDA Vice- Chairman and Police Commissioner over the reported death of a minor after an iron gate fell on him at a DDA colony in Siraspur

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 30th October, 2023

NHRC notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary, DDA Vice- Chairman and Police Commissioner over the reported death of a minor after an iron gate fell on him at a DDA colony in Siraspur

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports, carried on today on 31st October, 2023, that a five-year-old boy died after a damaged entry gate fell on him at a colony of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in Siraspur. Reportedly, the incident happened on 28th October, 2023 and the family members of the victim and residents have claimed that they had complained several times to the Resident Welfare Association and DDA about the broken gate but no action was taken.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, amount to grave violation of Right to life of the victim. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Vice Chairman, Delhi Development Authority, the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government and the Police Commissioner calling for detailed reports in the matter within four weeks.

The authorities are directed to inform the Commission if any relief has been granted to the aggrieved family besides the action taken against the officials/ officers responsible for not taking action on the complaints regarding damaged gate. The Commission would also like to know about the steps taken/ proposed to be taken to ensure that such painful incidents do not recur in future.

The Commissioner of Police, Delhi is expected to inform the status of the FIR registered in the matter to the Commission. He is also expected to clarify the contradiction between police version stating that there was no eye witness to the incident while the uncle of the deceased child has reportedly stated that many people were present on the spot when the incident occurred who even tried to save the child but were not able to lift the gate as it was very heavy.

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