NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a young man due to electrocution while crossing over a water-logged street in Patel Nagar, Delhi

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 25th July, 2024

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a young man due to electrocution while crossing over a water-logged street in Patel Nagar, Delhi

Issues notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary, the Commissioner of Police and the Chairman, Tata Power-Delhi Distribution Limited calling for reports within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a young man died due to electrocution while trying to cross over a water-logged street with the support of an iron gate leading to his paying guest accommodation in Patel Nagar area of Delhi on 22nd July, 2024. Reportedly, the iron gate stands right next to an electric pole with a cluster of open wires going to various homes in the society.

The Commission has observed the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of the violation of human rights of the victim due to apparent negligence of the authorities. The water logging in the area and flow of electric current from the electric pole to the iron gate, prima-facie indicate towards this negligence causing a loss of life.

Therefore, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, the Commissioner of Police, Delhi and the Chairman, Tata Power-Delhi Distribution Limited (DDL) to submit a detailed report in the matter within two weeks. The Commission would also like to know about the action taken against the responsible persons/ authorities, compensation to the Next of Kin of the deceased as well as steps taken/ proposed to be taken to ensure that such heart-rending incidents do not recur.

According to the media report, carried on 24th July, 2024, the 26-years old deceased was preparing for the civil services examination while residing in the paying guest accommodation at Patel Nagar. The flat mates and the neighbourers reportedly tried to save the victim but they could not succeed. He was ultimately pulled away from the gate by the police team and was taken to the hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

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