Indore Rat Attack Case: NHRC Seeks Action Taken Report From Government In 10 Days

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The NHRC has issued notices to the principal secretary of the state health department and Indore's district magistrate over a complaint alleging that a newborn died and others were injured due to "rat attacks" inside a hospital, officials said on Sunday.

The case, following the complaint related to the alleged incident, was registered by the National Human Rights Commission on September 4, according to its proceedings.

The member of the Commission Priyank Kanoongo in its notice, has directed authorities that the allegations levelled in the complaint be inquired into, and asked to submit an "action taken report within 10 days" for commission’s perusal. The complaint, as per the proceedings of the case is, 'Network for Access to Justice'.

The death of two newborn girls bitten by rats in the ICU of the government-run Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital was reported recently.

The complainant has alleged that, “this horrifying event highlights gross medical negligence and a complete failure to ensure basic hygiene and patient safety".

Such a "lapse" not only breaches the trust of citizens in public healthcare, but also constitutes a serious violation of the Right to Life and Health under Article 21 of the Constitution, reads the proceedings.

The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be serious violation of the human rights of the victims, the NHRC said. "The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the principal secretary, department of health and Family Welfare, government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, and DM, Indore, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into, and to submit an Action Taken Report within 10 days for perusal of the Commission," reads the proceedings.