Jhansi hospital fire: Human rights body issues notice to Uttar Pradesh government

The National Human Rights Commission demanded a detailed explanation from the Uttar Pradesh government and the state police chief about the fire incident at a government hospital in Jhasi that claimed the lives of 10 newborns.

In Short

• NHRC issues notice over Jhansi hospital fire tragedy
• Human rights body calls the incident a "grave violation" of human rights
• Authorities given one week to submit detailed incident report

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state police chief after a children’s ward of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi was gutted by fire. Ten newborns were killed in the incident.

Describing the reports as “disturbing,” the NHRC has demanded a detailed explanation within a week.

The commission observed that the contents of the reports are "indeed disturbing and indicate negligence" resulting in a "grave violation" of the human rights of the victims as they were in the care of a government institution.

The NHRC stated that it has taken cognisance of a news report that the fire, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, broke out late Friday night in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the hospital. The newborns who died were reportedly in incubators at the time of the incident, said NHRC in a statement.

In its notice, the NHRC directed the authorities to provide updates on the status of the FIR, action taken against officials responsible, medical treatment for the injured, and compensation for affected families. It also sought details on measures being implemented to prevent such incidents.

The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a four-member committee to investigate the fire.