**Summary:**
On August 8, 2025, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, took *suo motu* cognizance of a media report concerning the deaths of three children (ages 8-9 years) in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. The children reportedly drowned in a six-foot deep pit, left open by a builder during construction in a newly developed colony on August 3, 2025. The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, requesting a detailed report within two weeks. This report should include the status of the investigation into the incident and information regarding any compensation provided to the victims' families. The media report indicated that the pit, which had been dug approximately 40 days prior, was left open and filled with rainwater.
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission: A human rights organization in India, also referred to as NHRC.
Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh: The district in Uttar Pradesh where the incident occurred.
Chief Secretary: A high-ranking administrative position in the state government of Uttar Pradesh, to whom a notice has been issued.
Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh: The head of the police force in Uttar Pradesh, to whom a notice has been issued.
human rights: The fundamental rights inherent to all human beings.
investigation: The official inquiry into the deaths of the children.
compensation: Monetary relief to be provided to the families of the victims.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported
death of three children after falling into an open pit in
Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh
The Commission issues notices to the state Chief
Secretary and DGP calling for a detailed report within
two weeks
The report expected to include the status of the
investigation and compensation, if any, provided to
the next of kin of the victims
Posted On: 08 AUG 2025 4:22PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that three children, aged 8-9 years, died due to drowning in a six-foot-deep pit left open by a builder during
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the construction of a building in a newly developed colony in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh on 3 August,
2025. Reportedly, they fell into the pit when they were on their way back from a shop after buying chocolate.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of
the human rights of the victim children. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the
Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is
expected to include the status of the investigation of the case as well as compensation, if any, provided to the
next of kin of the victims.
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According to the media report, carried on 5 August, 2025, the builder dug a six-foot-deep pit about 40 days
back in the colony and left it open. The pit was filled with rainwater.
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NSK
(Release ID: 2154139)