NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of two workers' deaths in a septic tank in Muzaffarpur

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that two workers died of asphyxiation inside a septic tank in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. The incident reportedly took place in the area of Sikandarpur police station on 14 September 2026, while the workers were removing shuttering from the tank. According to the report, published on 15 September 2026, the matter is being investigated to find out whether safety protocols were breached.

The Commission observed that the contents of the report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. It issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Bihar, the District Magistrate and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarpur, seeking a detailed report within two weeks. The report is to include the status of the investigation and any compensation paid to the next of kin of the two workers.

Two days later, the Commission took similar suo motu cognizance of the death of a four-year-old girl who fell into an uncovered manhole near her house in Palwal, Haryana, on 14 September 2026. That manhole had reportedly stayed uncovered despite several complaints by residents. There too, it sought reports within two weeks from the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police on the investigation and compensation.