NHRC Crackdown: 5 Children Assaulted, 18 Workers Killed in Mine Blast

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of two separate incidents — the alleged sexual assault and torture of five children in Gurugram, Haryana, and the death of 18 workers in a blast at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya — issuing notices to concerned authorities and seeking detailed reports within two weeks.

The Commission observed that the contents of both media reports, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations.

Five children allegedly held captive, assaulted in Gurugram

According to a media report dated February 5, 2026, five children aged between 11 and 14 years were allegedly held captive for nearly 18 hours at an under-construction building in DLF Phase 3 area of Gurugram.

Reportedly, a contractor and four workers detained the children on suspicion of attempting to steal construction material. The victims were allegedly stripped, sexually assaulted and tortured. It was further reported that petrol was poured over them during the assault.

The Commission noted that such allegations, if established, constitute grave violations of human rights.

Mothers also allegedly humiliated

The incident reportedly came to light after the mother of one of the victims approached the police on February 3, 2026, to lodge a complaint.

Media reports further stated that when the children’s mothers reached the spot, they too were allegedly forced to sit with the children and subjected to humiliation by the accused.

Taking serious note of the matter, the NHRC has issued a notice to the Commissioner of Police, Gurugram, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

18 workers killed in illegal coal mine blast

In a separate case, the Commission has taken cognizance of reports that 18 workers died in a blast at an illegal coal mine in the Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, on February 5, 2026.

The incident has reportedly left several other workers trapped at unspecified depths, raising concerns over rescue operations and safety compliance.

The NHRC observed that the reported deaths raise serious questions of human rights violations, particularly concerning worker safety and illegal mining activities.

Notices to Meghalaya Chief Secretary, DGP

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Meghalaya, seeking a comprehensive report within two weeks.

The report is expected to detail:

The status of rescue operations
Compensation provided or proposed for the families of the deceased
Progress of the police investigation
Steps taken or proposed to prevent recurrence of such incidents

Commission flags serious human rights concerns

In both cases, the NHRC emphasised that the reported incidents, if found true, point to serious lapses and violations requiring urgent administrative and legal scrutiny.

Further action by the Commission will depend on the reports submitted by the respective authorities.

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The intervention by the National Human Rights Commission has once again drawn attention to recurring concerns over accountability, enforcement failures, and the vulnerability of marginalised individuals in situations involving authority or hazardous labour. Human rights experts note that suo motu action by the Commission generally indicates that the matter has prima facie gravity and requires urgent administrative response beyond routine policing.

NHRC issues notice to Gurugram Police Commissioner

In the Gurugram case, the reported age of the victims makes the allegations particularly alarming. Legal observers underline that offences involving minors attract stringent provisions under criminal law, including special protections meant to ensure child dignity, psychological care, and witness safety. Any delay in investigation or rehabilitation could have long-term consequences for the victims and their families.

Similarly, the reported deaths in the Meghalaya mining incident have revived debates around illegal extraction practices that continue despite regulatory bans and repeated court interventions in previous years. Labour rights groups argue that such tragedies highlight systemic lapses in monitoring, corruption risks, and the desperate economic conditions that push workers into dangerous environments.

The Commission’s demand for details on compensation, rescue progress, and preventive steps signals that responsibility will not be limited to identifying immediate perpetrators but may also extend to administrative oversight.

The coming weeks will be crucial. The reports submitted by state authorities are expected to determine whether further recommendations, compensation directives, or independent inquiries will follow.