What Actions Will the Haryana Government Take Regarding Rats in the Mortuary?
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Synopsis
The NHRC has launched an investigation into disturbing reports of rat infestations in a hospital mortuary, demanding accountability from Haryana's government. This alarming incident raises serious concerns about human rights violations and public health safety, as the NHRC seeks a detailed response within a tight deadline.
Key Takeaways
- NHRC has initiated an inquiry into rat infestations in a mortuary.
- Haryana government is required to respond within two weeks.
- This is not the first incident reported from Narwana Civil Hospital.
- NHRC emphasizes the importance of human rights in health care.
- Concerns about public transport safety have also been raised by the NHRC.
New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has proactively initiated a review following a media report detailing that a deceased individual was gnawed upon by rodents in the mortuary of Narwana Civil Hospital in Jind. The NHRC has requested a comprehensive report from the Haryana government within a two-week timeframe, as confirmed by an official on Monday.
In its request, the NHRC pointed out that this incident is allegedly not the first of its kind at this facility.
The Commission noted that the details of the news report, if accurate, highlight severe concerns regarding the infringement of human rights, as stated in an official release.
Consequently, the NHRC dispatched a notice to the Chief Secretary of the Haryana government, demanding a thorough inquiry into the situation within the stipulated two weeks.
A report from November 12, 2025, indicated that the hospital management claimed to have reported issues with the mortuary's freezer to the repair company, which has yet to respond.
In the interim, a makeshift barrier has been installed in the mortuary's freezer to prevent rodent intrusion.
In a related matter, the NHRC recently addressed the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories regarding a complaint indicating potentially life-threatening design flaws in public transport buses, raising significant concerns about passenger safety and systemic negligence in vehicle approvals.
This correspondence was prompted by a tragic sleeper bus fire that occurred on October 14, 2025, along the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway in Rajasthan.
A subsequent evaluation by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) uncovered violations of essential safety standards, including the lack of fire suppression systems and poorly designed internal partitions.
The NHRC stated, "The complainant alleged that a recurrent and fatal flaw in public transport bus design jeopardizes passenger safety. Specifically, certain buses feature a completely isolated drivers' cabin from the passenger area, obstructing the timely detection of fires and communication during emergencies. The complaint mentions recent instances where buses ignited during journeys, resulting in preventable fatalities."
The AIS-052 and AIS-119 standards, developed by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, are obligatory regulations defining the structural and fire safety criteria for buses operating in India.
Point of View
It is imperative to highlight that the NHRC's proactive stance on this matter reflects our commitment to safeguarding human rights. The reported incident in Haryana underscores a worrying trend in health safety standards, necessitating immediate governmental accountability and reform.
NationPress
01/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the NHRC's investigation?
The NHRC's investigation was triggered by a media report indicating that a deceased body was chewed by rats in the Narwana Civil Hospital mortuary.
What is the NHRC's deadline for the Haryana government?
The NHRC has set a two-week deadline for the Haryana government to provide a detailed report on the incident.
What other issues has the NHRC addressed recently?
The NHRC has also raised concerns about safety standards in public transport buses following a recent fatal bus fire incident.
