NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of 3 Custodial Deaths In 2 Days In Varanasi Jail

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report revealing the death of three prisoners in custody of the state in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, one after the other on 15th and 16th June, 2025. Reportedly, a male doctor and a female prisoner lodged in the District Jail died due to illness, whereas another lodged in the Central Jail of Varanasi died due to a heart attack.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Director General, Prisons and the Commissioner of Police, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

The report is expected to include the inquest and post-mortem examination reports, along with initial health screening reports of all three prisoners as well as the magisterial enquiry reports.