Loading…
NHRC took suo motu cognizance of media reports that 5 people, including an 11-year-old boy, died of malaria within 13 days in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh, and issued notice to the state's Chief Secretary for a report within two weeks.
The boy tested negative for malaria at a private lab, was later confirmed positive after his condition worsened, and died before receiving the confirmed report — raising concerns about diagnostic delay.
Following the incident, Chhattisgarh's State Health Department launched a door-to-door malaria screening and awareness campaign in the affected areas.
Statutory human-rights watchdog; can take suo motu cognizance of rights violations and issue notices to state governments seeking reports/action
Establishes NHRC and grants it suo motu inquiry powers (Section 12(a)) into violations or negligence by public servants
GS Paper 2 > Governance > Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-Judicial Bodies
Recurring — NHRC frequently takes suo motu cognizance of health/rights lapses reported in media
The power of a body like NHRC to take up a matter on its own initiative, without waiting for a formal complaint, under Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.