New Delhi, 18 September (H.S.): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a four-year-old girl who fell into an uncovered manhole near her home in Palwal, Haryana. The Commission has directed the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Palwal, to submit a detailed report on the incident within two weeks.

According to media reports, the girl fell into the open manhole while playing near her house in Palwal on September 14. Her family members and local residents pulled her out of the manhole and rushed her in critical condition to the District Civil Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

The NHRC noted that, if the media reports are accurate, the incident raises serious concerns relating to human rights. The Commission has therefore sought a detailed report from the district authorities within two weeks.

The report is expected to include the current status of the investigation as well as details of any compensation paid to the deceased girl’s next of kin, if applicable.

According to reports cited by the Commission, local residents had allegedly made several complaints to the concerned authorities about the uncovered manhole, but it remained open. The incident has consequently raised concerns over public safety and the responsibility of civic authorities to address hazardous infrastructure.

The NHRC’s intervention comes after the incident was reported in the media on September 16. The Commission has sought the authorities’ response to establish the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death and determine what action, if any, has been taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar