NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported incident of a stray dog carrying the severed head of an infant near the Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala district, Punjab

Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 3rd September, 2025

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported incident of a stray dog carrying the severed head of an infant near the Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala district, Punjab

Issues notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, calling for reports within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a stray dog was seen carrying the severed head of an infant near the Government Rajindra Hospital in the Patiala district of Punjab on 26th August, 2025. Reportedly, the attendants of the patients have alleged that stray dogs are often found roaming freely inside the hospital premises. They have also alleged poor sanitation, lack of security and negligence by the hospital authorities.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of human rights violation. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

According to the media report carried on 27th August, 2025, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital has stated that no baby has been found missing from the hospital and in all recent cases of the deaths of children, the bodies were handed over to their families after proper documentation. He has reportedly expressed apprehension that the remains might have been dumped outside the hospital premises by someone.

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