The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of several incidents reported in the media that raise concerns over possible violations of human rights in different parts of the country. Notices have been issued to authorities seeking detailed reports within two weeks.
In one case, the Commission acted on reports that a woman from Manipur was physically assaulted after objecting to alleged lewd and racial remarks made by a group of boys in the Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi. The incident reportedly occurred on March 8, 2026, while the woman was taking photographs with a friend at a park. The NHRC has issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner seeking a detailed report on the matter, including the status of the victim’s health and the progress of the investigation.
The Commission has also taken note of reports regarding a large number of missing persons in Bihar. According to available data, between 12,000 and 14,000 missing person cases have been registered annually in the state since 2013, many of them involving children. Reports indicate that only about two-thirds of missing children have been traced. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau suggests that cases of human trafficking are highest in Odisha, Bihar, Telangana and Maharashtra. Odisha has recorded the highest number of trafficking cases involving minor boys, followed by Bihar, while Rajasthan has reported the highest number of cases involving trafficking of minor girls. The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan seeking detailed reports and updated statistical data on missing persons.
In Jharkhand, the Commission has taken cognizance of reports alleging lack of proper medical care for a mother and her baby at Chakradharpur Sub-Divisional Hospital in West Singhbhum district, which reportedly led to the death of the newborn. The incident is said to have occurred on March 7, 2026. It was also reported that the father had to carry the infant’s body in a cardboard box to his village after being denied an ambulance by the hospital. Notices have been issued to the Secretary of the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare in Ranchi and the Deputy Commissioner of West Singhbhum seeking a detailed report.
In another case, the NHRC has sought a report from authorities in Haryana following a wall collapse at an under-construction site near Bilaspur in Gurugram on March 9, 2026. At least seven workers reportedly died and three others were injured in the incident. The accident occurred at a site where a sewage treatment plant was being built for an upcoming residential project. Authorities were engaged in rescue operations with the help of police, civil defence teams, firefighters and personnel from the State Disaster Response Force to locate workers feared trapped under the debris. The Commission has asked for details on the condition of the injured, the investigation into the incident, and compensation provided to the families of the deceased and injured workers.
The Commission stated that if the contents of the reports are found to be true, they raise serious concerns regarding the violation of human rights of the victims.
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