Kutch sewer workers' death: Gujarat govt pays Rs 10 lakh compensation. Why not Rs 30 lakh?, asks NHRC

By A Representative

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had issued a show-cause notice to the Chief Secretary of Gujarat regarding the death of two sanitation workers from asphyxiation three years ago while cleaning a sewer in Mirzapar, Bhuj. Acting on the notice, the state government paid ₹10 lakh each to the families of the deceased workers.

The NHRC, however, has now sought an explanation from the authorities on why the Commission should not direct payment of a higher compensation of ₹30 lakh each to the victim families. The Social Welfare Department’s Under Secretary has been asked to submit an action taken report within eight weeks.

The development follows a complaint filed by Ahmedabad-based human rights activist Kantilal U. Parmar, who approached the NHRC citing violation of the workers’ right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Parmar said, “This tragic incident reflects a grave violation of human dignity and human rights. The families of the deceased deserve adequate compensation and justice, and strict enforcement of laws is essential to ensure that no more lives are lost in such preventable circumstances.”

The case relates to the deaths of two sanitation workers in Bhuj’s Mirzapar area in November 2022, when they were called by the local gram panchayat to clean a sewer and suffocated due to toxic gases. A case was initially registered as Accidental Death (No. 49/2022) on November 23, 2022, at A-Division Police Station, Bhuj. Following representations to the District Collector, SP, and DGP, an FIR (No. 1120504221026 dated November 24, 2022) was filed under IPC sections 304, 337, 338, 114, provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and Section 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act.

Police later arrested the accused linked to the case. Meanwhile, the NHRC has also asked the state to report on measures taken in compliance with its earlier guidelines to prevent sewer-related deaths and to eliminate manual scavenging.

The matter remains under review, with the Commission closely monitoring compliance with its directions.

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