The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that three sanitation workers died after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a septic tank at a private hospital in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh on 17th March 2026. 

Reportedly, the relatives of the victims alleged that neither the hospital management nor the private contractor provided them with safety gear. 

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the District Magistrate and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Raipur, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. 

The report is also expected to include the status of the investigation.