When a fire is reported at Maharani Laxmibai Medical College, the NHRC takes suo motu notice

Describes the reported incident as disturbing and indicating negligence resulting in a grave violation of human rights of the victim babies in the care of a government institution

Issues notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter within one week

INN/New Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

The status of the FIR in question, any actions taken against the accountable officials, the medical care given to the injured, and any compensation given to the harmed families are all anticipated to be included.

On November 15, 2024, a fire broke out at the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in the Jhansi region of Uttar Pradesh, killing at least ten newborn babies. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognisance of the media story.

In addition to these fatalities, 37 babies were saved and 16 newborns were injured. According to reports, the police authorities have verified that the infants who perished were in incubators at the time of the incident and that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.

The commission has noted that the media report’s contents are unsettling and show that the victim babies’ human rights were gravely violated due to negligence while in the custody of a government agency. As a result, it has sent notifications to the Uttar Pradesh Police Director General and Chief Secretary requesting a thorough report on the subject within a week.

The status of the FIR filed in the case, the actions taken against the accountable parties, the medical care given to the injured, and any compensation given to the harmed families should all be included in the report. In order to prevent such instances from happening again, the Commission would also like to hear what actions the authorities have taken or plan to take.