Raipur septic tank tragedy: NHRC takes suo moto cognisance of death of 3 sanitation workers

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report regarding the death of three sanitation workers in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur district while cleaning a septic tank at a private hospital.

Observing that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victims, the apex human rights body has issued notices to the Raipur District Magistrate and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

The NHRC said the report is expected to include the status of the ongoing investigation into the incident.

According to the media report, the incident occurred on March 17 when the three sanitation workers allegedly died after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a septic tank on the premises of a private hospital.

Reportedly, the relatives of the deceased have alleged that neither the hospital management nor the private contractor had provided safety gear to the workers.