Important Intervention

Death of two ailing passengers on trains
(Case No. 1697/13/12/2016)
The National Human Rights Commission has taken a serious view of the reported callous attitude of Railway staff, on board the trains, leading to the death of two passengers within a span of two weeks as they were not provided any medical assistance, despite requests, even as the trains passed through various stations. It has issued notices to the Chairman Railway Board calling for reports in both the incidents along with information on the arrangements put in place for providing emergency medical health to the passengers during the journey.
Taking suo motu cognizance of both the incidents reported in the media on the 2nd and the 3rd July, 2016 respectively, the Commission has also noted that its seems the Railway staff, including the RPF on board the trains and the ground staff at stations, appear to be totally unaware of their accountability towards the health and safety needs of passengers. The two precious human lives could have been saved if timely medical help was provided to both the passengers.
In the first incident, a 17 year old girl fell ill on board the 'Godan Express' and despite repeated requests by her mother to the Guard, she was not provided any medical assistance at any station enroute 389 Kilometers between Kalyan and Bhusawal on the 31st July, 2016. Even after her death, the body remained in the coach for another 741 Kilometers, when at Satna finally, it was brought down the next morning.
In the second incident, a young man, aged 21 years, on board the Utkal Express suffered from loose motion and vomiting. The victim made several requests to the T.T.E. for help. The train stopped at about 20 small and big railway stations, but he was not provided medial aid. It was too late to save his life, when finally, after more than 15 hours of painful journey, he was eventually deboarded at Bilaspur and taken to a hospital.
Deplorable condition of patients in a Mental Hospital
(Case No. 1131/25/13/2016)
The media reported on the 17th August, 2016 that in West Bengal, a team of an NGO Anjali, visited the government run Berhampore Mental Hospital on the Independence Day and found naked men and women, all mentally ill patients, lying on dirty floors in a very bad condition. They had not bathed or shaved for months, having visible signs of various diseases. The toilets were so filthy that nobody could use them. The bed sheets were full of bugs. There are about 430 patients in the hospital at present. There is no facility of laundry. There is no barber and the bathrooms are in such a bad condition that the patients often fall on the ground and hurt themselves.
Reportedly, the Hospital Superintendent refused to make any comments on it when approached by the NGO. The Chief Medical Officer denied the calls made by the NGO.
The Commission, reiterating its commitment towards the promotion and protection of rights of mentally ill persons, has observed that the contents of the news report are distressing. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal calling for a detailed report about the state of affairs in Behrampur Mental Hospital along with the status of other mental hospitals run by the State Government. It has also asked its Special Rapporteur, East Zone, Shri Domodar Sarangi, to assess the situation on the ground and submit a report to the Commission.
NHRC ensures payment of relief and criminal action against the accused Principal in a case of sexual assault
(Case No. 4515/4/17/2012)
The National Human Rights Commission has ensured that the Government of Bihar paid Rs. 3.00 lakh each as interim relief to four girl schools in addition to Rs. 3.00 lakh paid to another girl earlier in a case of sexual assault by the Principal of their school in Rakhdeeh District Khagdiya, Bihar. The State government has also informed that a criminal case was registered against the Principal and a charge sheet was filed in the court. An action against the accused was also being initiated in terms of Rule 43 (b) of the Bihar Pension Manual. The State government informed that apart from the relief recommended by the Commission, the district administration had paid an amount of Rs. 60,000/- each to four victims. Remaining one girl had refused to accept this amount.
It was only after the Commission, on the basis of a complaint, issued notices to the State government, alleging sexual assault of a girl by the Principal of her school, that an inquiry was conducted, which revealed that it was not just one girl but there were four others, who were victimised.