Date: 2026-03-03Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance over the botched cataract surgery resulting in removal of 9 patients' infected eye and vision loss of 9 others at a private hospital in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated a *suo motu* cognizance following a media report detailing botched cataract surgeries at a private hospital in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The report indicates that at least nine patients required the removal of an infected eye, and nine others suffered vision loss in one eye. These surgeries were performed on 30 patients during an Eye Camp on February 1, 2026.
The NHRC views this situation as a potential violation of human rights. Consequently, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Senior Superintendent of Police in Gorakhpur, requesting a comprehensive report on the matter within two weeks.
The media report, published on February 20, 2026, states that patients began experiencing severe pain and discharge from their operated eyes within 24 hours of the surgeries. A total of 18 patients developed infections and required referral to Delhi, Lucknow, and Varanasi for further medical treatment due to their deteriorating condition.
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission: The primary regulatory body taking action.
Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh: The specific location central to the incident and policy applicability.
Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh: Official responsible for responding to NHRC's notice.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur: Official responsible for responding to NHRC's notice.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance over the
botched cataract surgery resulting in removal of
9 patients' infected eye and vision loss of 9
others at a private hospital in Gorakhpur district
of Uttar Pradesh
Issues notices to the state Chief Secretary and Gorakhpur
Senior Superintendent of Police, calling for a detailed report
on the matter within two weeks
Posted On: 03 MAR 2026 10:14PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that after botched cataract surgery at a private hospital in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, the infected
eye of at least nine patients had to be removed and nine others lost vision in one eye. Reportedly, the
surgeries were conducted on 30 patients during an Eye Camp on 1st February 2026 at the private hospital.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation
of human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of
Uttar Pradesh and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed
report on the matter within two weeks.
According to the media report, carried on 20th February 2026, the patients started complaining of severe
pain and discharge from the operated eye within 24 hours of the surgeries. A total 18 patients developed
infections after which they were referred to Delhi, Lucknow and Varanasi for medical treatment as their
condition worsened.
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NSK
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