Date: 2026-04-24Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of four children due to drowning in a deep pit near a drain work site in the Islampura area of Nanded district in Maharashtra
**Summary of NHRC Cognizance Regarding Drowning Deaths in Nanded, Maharashtra**
On April 24, 2026, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, took *suo motu* cognizance of a media report concerning the deaths of four children. The victims drowned on April 16, 2026, in a 15-foot-deep pit containing accumulated wastewater near a drain construction site in the Islampura area of Nanded district, Maharashtra. The construction was reportedly being managed by the local civic body.
Observing that the incident raises serious concerns regarding the violation of human rights, the Commission has issued formal notices to the following officials:
* The Commissioner, Nanded Waghala City Municipal Corporation
* The District Magistrate (DM), Nanded
* The Superintendent of Police (SP), Nanded
These authorities are required to submit a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The NHRC has specified that the report must include the status of health and details regarding any compensation paid to the next of kin (NoK) of the deceased.
According to media reports dated April 17, 2026, the children were playing near the site and entered the pit without realizing its depth. Although local residents and police attempted a rescue after hearing cries for help, the children could not be saved.
**Reference Data:**
* **Release ID:** 2255249
* **Incident Date:** April 16, 2026
* **Notice Issued Date:** April 24, 2026
* **Reporting Deadline:** Two weeks from notice issuance
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India: The statutory body that took suo motu cognizance of the child drowning deaths, citing a serious violation of human rights.
Nanded Waghala City Municipal Corporation: The local civic body responsible for the drain construction site where the fatal incident occurred; issued a notice to submit a detailed report.
Islampura, Nanded, Maharashtra: The specific location where four children drowned in a 15-feet-deep pit near a wastewater drain work site.
District Magistrate, Nanded: The local administrative head called upon by the NHRC to provide a status report on health and compensation for the deceased's next of kin.
Superintendent of Police, Nanded: The local law enforcement head issued a notice by the NHRC to report on the drowning incident.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the
reported death of four children due to drowning
in a deep pit near a drain work site in the
Islampura area of Nanded district in Maharashtra
Issues notices to the Nanded Waghala Municipal
Commissioner, DM and SP, calling for a detailed report on the
matter within two weeks
The report to include the status of health and compensation,
if any, paid to the NoK of the deceased
Posted On: 24 APR 2026 2:58PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that on 16th April 2026, four children died due to drowning in a 15-feet-deep pit near a drain work site in
the Islampura area of Nanded district in Maharashtra. Reportedly, the drain is being constructed by the
local civic body and wastewater had accumulated in the nearby pit.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if any, raise a serious issue of violation
of human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Commissioner, Nanded Waghala
City Municipal Corporation, the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Nanded,
Maharashtra, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is expected to include the
status of health and compensation, if any, paid to the next of kin (NoK) of the deceased.
According to the media report, carried on 17th April 2026, the children were playing near the site and
entered the water without anticipating its depth. Upon hearing their cries, local residents and the police
reportedly reached the spot and attempted to rescue them. However, the children could not be saved.
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NSK
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