Date: 2025-09-22Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of one worker and serious injuries to three others while cleaning sewer in Ashok Vihar area of North West Delhi
On 22 SEP 2025, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India took *suo motu* cognizance of a media report regarding the death of one worker and serious injuries to three others while cleaning a sewer in the Ashok Vihar area of North West Delhi on 16th September, 2025. Notices have been issued to the Delhi Chief Secretary, Municipal Commissioner, and Police Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
The NHRC seeks information on the status of the investigation, the health of the injured workers, and details of compensation paid to the next of kin of the deceased and the injured workers. Co-workers stated that no safety equipment was provided by the private construction company which engaged them for cleaning sewer. The incident was reported to the Police Control Room late on 16th September, 2025. The four victims were taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital where one was declared dead and the others were admitted to the ICU. The Manager of the company is being questioned. (Release ID: 2169545)
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): Took suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding a worker's death and injuries to others.
North West Delhi: Location where the incident occurred, a sewer cleaning incident.
Delhi Chief Secretary: Official issued notice to by NHRC to provide a report regarding the incident.
Municipal Commissioner: Official issued notice to by NHRC to provide a report regarding the incident.
Police Commissioner: Official issued notice to by NHRC to provide a report regarding the incident.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the
reported death of one worker and serious injuries to
three others while cleaning sewer in Ashok Vihar
area of North West Delhi
Issues notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary,
Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner,
calling for a detailed report on the matter within two
weeks
Posted On: 22 SEP 2025 2:54PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that one worker died and three others were critically injured while cleaning sewer in Ashok Vihar area of
North West Delhi on 16th September, 2025. Reportedly, their co-workers stated that no safety equipment was
provided by the private construction company which engaged them for cleaning sewer.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of human
rights violation. In spite of directions given by the Supreme Court and NHRC advisory issued to all the States
/ Union Territories to ensure safety of the sanitation workers, such tragic incidents are occurring frequently.
Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, Commissioner,
Municipal Corporation and Police Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
It is expected to include the status of the investigation and health of the injured workers. The details of
compensation paid to the next of kin of the deceased and to the injured workers have also been sought.
According to the media report, carried on 18th September, 2025, the Police Control Room had received a call
late night on 16th September, 2025 regarding the incident. The Police rushed all the four victims to the Deen
Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital. Doctors declared one of them as brought dead, while the three others were
admitted to the ICU in a critical condition. The Manager of the company is being questioned.
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NSK
(Release ID: 2169545)