New Delhi, Nov 4 (NationPress) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has requested a report within two weeks from the Karnataka government and the state's police chief regarding the alleged bribery incidents involving a mourning 64-year-old father whose daughter passed away due to a brain haemorrhage, an official reported on Tuesday.

The alleged exploitation of the man began following the death of his daughter, a graduate of IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad, who was working in Bengaluru and suffered a brain bleed on September 18.

The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance based on a media report indicating that during this devastating time, the elderly father was coerced into paying bribes at various stages, including to an ambulance driver, police, crematorium personnel, and municipal officials in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

According to the report published on October 30, a moment that should have been a dignified farewell transformed into a harrowing experience marked by corruption, bureaucratic obstacles, and a lack of compassion.

The Commission noted that if the details of the news report are accurate, they highlight grave concerns regarding human rights violations. Consequently, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police in Karnataka, demanding a comprehensive report on the situation within two weeks.

When the father requested an ambulance following his daughter’s passing, the driver allegedly charged an exorbitant fee for the service. Upon reporting his daughter’s death to the police, he faced not only indifference but was also required to pay a bribe to obtain copies of the FIR and post-mortem report.

As per the media report, the deceased's family donated her eyes prior to cremation, yet more money was demanded at the crematorium, which the grieving father reluctantly paid.

Additionally, there was a significant delay in obtaining a death certificate from the Mahadevapura Municipal authorities. Despite a senior officer's intervention, the certificate was only issued after the father paid a bribe.

Previously, the NHRC had urged 19 state governments and 4 Union Territory administrations to implement proactive measures and relief programs for vulnerable populations as winter approaches.

The Commission called on the State and UT governments to safeguard newborns, children, infants, the impoverished, elderly, homeless individuals, and those reliant on begging, who may be at risk of exposure to cold due to inadequate shelter and resources, as stated in an announcement.

The NHRC also requested Action-Taken Reports from the government regarding measures undertaken to address cold waves, emphasizing the necessity of sensitizing the relevant State/UT authorities.