New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a 35-year-old teacher died of electrocution in the New Delhi Railway Station premises on June 25.
Reportedly, he grabbed an electric pole for support in the waterlogged area where people get down from taxis towards Ajmeri Gate of New Delhi Railway Station.
His sister was also shocked in an attempt to save him. The alleged victim’s family has also claimed that despite the police station being just a few meters away from the spot, no one came to help in time.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, amount to a serious violation of the human rights of the victim and her family due to the apparent negligence of the authorities contributing to the water-logging and exposed electric wires.
Apart from the civic and power authorities, the Railways have also failed to monitor such life-threatening faults at the New Delhi Railway Station, which is one of the busiest public places in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices to the Chairman, Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, Chief Secretary, Government of NCT Delhi and Commissioner of Police, Delhi, seeking a detailed report in the matter within 4 weeks.
This should include the current status of the FIR registered in the matter, action taken against the officers/officials responsible for negligence as well as the compensation paid, if any, to the victim’s family. The Commission would also like to know the steps being taken or proposed to be taken by the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future.
As per media reports circulated on June 26, 2023, the incident took place on June 25, 2023 around 5.30 am. The family lived in East Delhi’s Preet Vihar and was traveling to Chandigarh by the Vande Bharat Express.
Family members of the victim reportedly claimed that she lay on the ground for 20-25 minutes before some taxi and auto drivers came to help. They pulled the victim’s 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, who were standing next to her, and rescued them. The victim was taken to the hospital by taxi.