NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a labourer after being buried in soil while digging a sewer pit in a power house campus in Ajmer district, Rajasthan

Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 26th July, 2025

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a labourer after being buried in soil while digging a sewer pit in a power house campus in Ajmer district, Rajasthan

Issues notices to the Rajasthan Chief Secretary and Ajmer Police Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The report expected to include compensation, if any, provided to the NoK of the deceased

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a 50-year-old labourer was buried under the soil while digging a sewer pit in the campus of a power house in Ajmer district of Rajasthan on 14th July, 2025. Reportedly, the victim, along with other labourers, was digging a 30-feet-deep well when the incident happened.

The Commission has observed that the contents, if true, raise a serious violation of human rights of the victim. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan and the Commissioner of Police, Ajmer, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. The report is expected to include compensation, if any, provided to the next of kin (NoK) of the deceased.

According to the media report, carried on 15th July, 2025, the victim was about 18 feet down when the soil suddenly caved in, completely burying him under it. The other labourers managed to escape. The police, along with Civil Defence personnel, reached the spot and took the victim out after an effort of about 6 to 7 hours. The body of the deceased was sent for the post-mortem examination.

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