NHRC issues notices to Delhi Authorities over open drain deaths

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the tragic death of a five-year-old boy who fell into an open drain in Alipur, North West Delhi, on October 7, 2024. This marks the fifth such incident in recent months in the national capital. The NHRC has expressed grave concern over these incidents, pointing to a serious lapse in civic responsibility.

Repeated negligence raises human rights concerns

The NHRC observed that these incidents, if true, reflect gross negligence on the part of civic authorities and raise serious concerns about the violation of human rights. The recurring incidents, according to the Commission, indicate a failure to protect public safety, with several lives lost in Delhi recently due to similar incidents, including drowning and electrocution.

Authorities put on notice

In response, the NHRC has issued notices to key Delhi authorities, including the Chief Secretary of the Government of NCT Delhi, the Commissioner of Police, the Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. They have been asked to provide a detailed report within four weeks, outlining the status of FIRs filed in all such cases, actions taken against responsible officials, and any compensation provided to the victims’ families.

Recent open drain tragedies in Delhi

This latest tragedy is part of a series of open drain deaths reported across Delhi. Earlier in October, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl died after falling into an open drain in Khajuri Khas, northeast Delhi. Reportedly, the contractor, who worked there, had left the drain opened at various places without placing any warning signs. In September, a 32-year-old man lost his life in Bhajanpura. In August, two separate incidents saw the deaths of a seven-year-old boy in Ashok Vihar and a man in Paschim Vihar. In July, the death of a woman and her son in Ghazipur, followed by a fatal car accident in Burari, highlighted the ongoing dangers posed by unmonitored open drains.

Call for preventive measures

The NHRC has also sought information on the steps taken or proposed by the authorities to prevent such tragedies from recurring. It emphasized the need for stringent measures to ensure that public spaces are made safe, particularly in areas prone to such hazards.