NHRC issues notice to Rajasthan govt over death of several women, a minor at hospitals in 2 districts

New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) The NHRC on Thursday said it has issued a notice to the Rajasthan government over reports that eight women and a minor have died in a week, allegedly after undergoing surgery at the gynaecology wards of government hospitals in Bhilwara and Banswara districts. The rights panel sought a detailed report on the matter in two weeks. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in a statement, said it has "taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that eight women and a minor died in a week after undergoing surgery in the gynaecology wards of the government hospitals in the Bhilwara and Banswara districts of Rajasthan". Among the victims, five died at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara district, and three others, in addition to a minor, at the Banswara district hospital, the rights panel said, citing the new report. The Commission also observed that the content of the news report, if true, raises serious issues of human rights violations. The NHRC, therefore, has issued a notice to the chief secretary of the Rajasthan government, seeking a detailed report on it in two weeks. According to the media report, carried on July 12, an investigation is underway to determine the causes of the deaths, it said. In a separate statement, the NHRC said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that two juveniles were allegedly "subjected to physical and sexual assault by fellow inmates" at a juvenile home in Bhopal. Reportedly, the medical examination of the victims has "substantiated the allegations", the rights panel said and expressed concern over the possible violation of human rights. Therefore, it issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh chief secretary and the commissioner of police of Bhopal, seeking a detailed report on it in two weeks, the NHRC said. According to the media report, carried on July 12, the incident came to light when the victims' family visited them at the facility. PTI KND PRK