The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reported maternal deaths at government hospitals in Rajasthan's Bhilwara and Banswara districts, issuing a notice to the state's Chief Secretary and demanding a detailed report within two weeks. The Commission acted on media reports indicating that eight women, including a minor, died within a week following childbirth or related procedures at public health facilities.

What the Deaths Reveal

Of the eight deaths, five occurred at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara — all following Caesarean deliveries — within a span of six days. The deceased were identified as Shimla Gurjar (5 July), Phori Devi (7 July), Isha Pandey (8 July), Divya (9 July), and Sangeeta Jinagar (10 July). According to reports, all five were shifted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit after their conditions deteriorated but could not be saved. Critically, infection screening of one of the hospital's operation theatres reportedly returned a positive result, intensifying scrutiny of the facility.

The remaining three deaths, including that of a minor, were reported at the District Hospital in Banswara. Those who died include Rekha (29) of Ambapura, Reshma (23) of Alkakheda in Madhya Pradesh, Lakshmi (21) of Savaniya in Ghatol, Leela (32) of Kahela Garhi, and others identified as Lakshmi (32) and Patela Panda.

Situation in Banswara Worsens

Maternal fatalities in Banswara reportedly continued even as Rajasthan Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvasar visited the district. A woman reportedly died following childbirth on Wednesday night during his visit. With that incident, a total of six postpartum women and three newborns have reportedly died in Banswara in recent days, according to reports.

Preliminary findings suggest that severe anaemia may have contributed to several of the maternal deaths. One case involved 20-year-old Shilpa, a resident of Kalakhunta village in Sajjangarh block, who reportedly delivered a stillborn baby before reaching a healthcare facility. She was referred from a rural hospital to the district hospital on 14 July and, owing to excessive bleeding and critical condition, was subsequently referred to Udaipur, where she reportedly died on 15 July.

Hospital's Response and the NHRC's Position

Mahatma Gandhi Hospital Superintendent Dr. Arun Gaur has maintained that the deaths resulted from severe obstetric complications and denied allegations of medical negligence. However, the NHRC observed in its notice that if the reported facts are accurate, the incidents raise serious concerns about human rights violations, particularly regarding access to safe maternal healthcare in the BJP-ruled state.

The Commission has sought a comprehensive report from the Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma government covering the circumstances surrounding the deaths, findings of ongoing investigations, and measures being taken to prevent recurrence.

What Comes Next

The NHRC is expected to examine the state government's response upon receipt of the Chief Secretary's report. The cluster of deaths — spanning two districts, multiple hospitals, and a positive infection screening — is likely to trigger demands for an independent medical audit of maternal care infrastructure across Rajasthan. With the state already under national scrutiny, the next two weeks will be critical in determining whether systemic failures or individual complications were the primary cause.