The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a tragic fire in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, which claimed the lives of 10 infants.
In addition to the fatalities, 16 babies sustained injuries, while 37 others were rescued.
The fire, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, occurred while the infants were in incubators, according to police authorities.
Describing the incident as deeply distressing, the NHRC stated it reflects negligence and represents a severe violation of the human rights of the victims under government care. The Commission has issued notices to Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, demanding a detailed report within one week.
The report must include the status of the FIR, actions against officials responsible for the negligence, medical aid provided to the injured, compensation to affected families, and measures planned to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased infant and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed his condolences, offering Rs 5 lakh to the parents of each victim and Rs 50,000 to the families of the injured through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Chief Minister has directed local authorities, including the Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Inspector General of Police in Jhansi, to provide an incident report within 12 hours.