NHRC issues show-cause notices to Mayor, 3 others

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 24

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, today issued show-cause notices to the Municipal Commissioner, Mayor, contractor of the MC and the SHO, Sector 31 police station, in the case related to the death of three sewer men.

The sewer men died after inhaling toxic gases on entering a 20-feet sewer chamber in front of the 3BRD Sewage Treatment Plant’s (STP) main gate in the Industrial Area, Phase II, on May 30.

The Commission, acting upon a complaint filed by social activist and advocate Pankaj Chandgothia on May 31, has asked the authorities to submit an action-taken report within four weeks.

Chandgothia in his complaint to the NHRC had demanded that all responsible must be booked and proceeded against under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC instead of Section 304-A (death due to negligence) of the IPC. Chandgothia said the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation could not wash its hands off the tragedy by saying that the contractor is responsible.

“The Municipal Corporation is equally responsible for the deaths, because it is the principal contractor,” he said.

Chandgothia pointed out that it is understood that if anyone goes inside a sewer without mask or safety gear, he is likely to die or suffer serious physical injuries that may result into his death.