NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Child Drownings In Delhi And Greater NOIDA, Seeks Reports From Authorities

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported incidents of drowning of two male kids in Delhi and Greater NOIDA, in Gautam Budh Nagar district in Delhi–NCR on 7th July, 2025. The incident in Delhi happened when, reportedly, a 4-year-old boy fell into an open drain and died in the Mahendra Park area of the North-West District. Reportedly, many such cases of death of people after falling into open drains or manholes have happened in the recent past in different parts of the National capital.

In the other incident, a 6-year-old boy drowned in a water body inside a park in Greater NOIDA in Uttar Pradesh. Reportedly, the residents had already informed the Greater NOIDA Development Authority (GNDA) about waterlogging in the fountain area of the park, where this incident happened, however, no action was taken by the concerned authorities in this regard.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports in both incidents, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, in the incident that happened in Delhi, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

Further, in the incident that happened in Greater NOIDA, the Commission has issued notices to the Chairman, GNDA, and the Police Commissioner, Gautam Budh Nagar, calling for a detailed report within two weeks.