NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of death of a worker cleaning a sewage treatment plant tank in Hisar, Haryana

📌 Summary:

• NHRC took suo motu cognizance of a media report that on 15 July 2026 one worker died and another was seriously injured after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a sewage treatment plant tank at Gangwa village, Hisar district, Haryana
• The workers, engaged by a contractor to clear a blocked pipeline, entered the tank without any safety gear
• The deceased worker's family alleged negligence by the contractor and the plant management
• NHRC observed the report, if true, raises serious human rights violations; issued notices to the Haryana Chief Secretary and Hisar SP seeking a detailed report within two weeks
• The report must cover the investigation status, injured worker's health, and any compensation paid to the next of kin and the injured

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — role of the National Human Rights Commission; hazardous cleaning/manual scavenging, worker safety and dignity, and enforcement gaps in social-justice legislation.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• NHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
• Hazardous manual cleaning of sewers/septic tanks is prohibited under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
• Suo motu = action taken by a body on its own initiative

🔑 Key Term: Suo Motu Cognizance — a body's power to initiate proceedings on its own, without a formal complaint, based on media reports or other information.