MP: NHRC takes sou motu cognizance of death of 2 students in govt hostel in Dhar

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], September 30 (ANI): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about two students, belonging to a Scheduled Tribe (ST), got electrocuted to death while cleaning a water tank on the instructions of the Superintendent of a government-run hostel in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar on September 25, according to an official release.
The commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary (CS) and the Director General of Police (DGP), Government of Madhya Pradesh, seeking a detailed report about the matter within two weeks.
"According to the media report on September 26, 2024, the students came into contact with a live wire connected to a water pump inside the tank while cleaning it. They were spotted lying in the tank by the villagers, who reportedly informed the hostel authorities," stated the release.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious concern about human rights violations of the victim students. Going by the media reports, it appears that the hostel authorities have acted in an insensitive manner by asking the young boys to execute such a hazardous task resulting in their deaths, it further read.
"Accordingly, the Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Madhya Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. It is also expected to include the status of the police investigation and compensation, if any, paid to the aggrieved families of both victims," the release added.
Notably, two students residing in Government Scheduled Tribe Senior Boys Hostel, Ringnod, operated in Sardarpur, Dhar district, died due to electric shock on September 25, following which Dhar collector suspended the superintendent of the hostel.
"On September 25, two students residing in Government Scheduled Tribe Senior Boys Hostel, Ringnod, operated in Sardarpur of Dhar district, died due to electric shock. The above incident occurred due to the electric line being disturbed and improper management of water in the water-tank on the premises of hostel by In-charge Superintendent of hostel, Bansingh Kannauj," order of Dhar collector Priyank Mishra read.
"Prima facie Kannauj has not discharged his official duty properly, therefore he is suspended with immediate effect under the provision of section 9 in the MP Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1966," the order further read. (ANI)