Date: 2026-07-17Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a worker and injuries to another after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a sewage treatment plant tank in the Hisar district, Haryana
**NHRC Action on Sewage Worker Fatality and Injuries in Hisar, Haryana**
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken *suo motu* cognizance of a media report detailing a fatal incident involving sewage workers in Haryana. On July 15, 2026, one worker died and another was seriously injured after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a sewage treatment plant (STP) tank at Gangwa village in the Hisar district.
**Incident Details**
According to reports from July 16, 2026, the workers were engaged by a contractor to clear a blocked pipeline. They reportedly entered the tank without any safety gear. The deceased worker's family has alleged negligence on the part of both the contractor and the sewage treatment plant management. The injured worker is currently undergoing medical treatment at a hospital.
**Commission’s Observations and Actions**
The NHRC observed that the incident, if true, indicates a serious violation of human rights. Consequently, the Commission has issued formal notices to the **Haryana Chief Secretary** and the **Hisar Superintendent of Police (SP)**.
**Reporting Requirements**
A detailed report is required from the aforementioned authorities within **two weeks**. The report must include the following specific data points:
* The current status of the investigation.
* The health status of the injured worker.
* Details regarding any compensation paid to the injured worker and the next of kin (NoK) of the deceased.
**Administrative Information**
* **Release ID:** 2285840
* **Posted Date:** July 17, 2026, at 5:58 PM
* **Originating Office:** PIB Delhi
* **Visitor Counter:** 221
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The primary regulatory body in India taking suo motu cognizance of the human rights violations related to the sewage tank cleaning incident.
Chief Secretary, Haryana: The highest-ranking administrative official in the state government issued a notice to provide a detailed report on the incident and compensation.
Superintendent of Police (SP), Hisar: The district law enforcement head required to submit a report on the status of the criminal investigation into the workers' deaths and injuries.
Gangwa village, Hisar, Haryana: The specific location of the sewage treatment plant where the worker's death and safety gear negligence occurred.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the
reported death of a worker and injuries to
another after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning
a sewage treatment plant tank in the Hisar
district, Haryana
Issues notices to the Haryana Chief Secretary and Hisar SP,
calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks
The report expected to include the status of the investigation,
injured worker's health, as well as compensation, if any, paid
to the NoK of the deceased and to the injured
Posted On: 17 JUL 2026 5:58PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that on 15th July 2026, one worker died and another was seriously injured after inhaling toxic gases while
cleaning a sewage treatment plant tank at Gangwa village in the Hisar district, Haryana. Reportedly, the
deceased worker's family has alleged negligence by the contractor and the sewage treatment plant
management.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation
of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Haryana Chief Secretary and the Hisar
Superintendent of Police, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is
expected to include the status of the investigation, the injured worker's health, as well as compensation, if
any, paid to the next of kin of the deceased and to the injured.
According to the media report, carried on 16th July 2026, the workers were engaged by a contractor to
clear a blocked pipeline. They entered the tank without any safety gear. The injured worker is undergoing
treatment at a hospital.
***
NSK
(Release ID: 2285840) Visitor Counter : 221
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Tamil