NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of two sanitation workers due to asphyxiation while working in an underground drainage pipeline in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of two sanitation workers due to asphyxiation while working in an underground drainage pipeline in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that two sanitation workers died due to asphyxiation on 22nd September, 2025 while working on a newly constructed underground drainage pipeline near Carmel Garden in the Muthunagar area of Tiruverumbur, Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu. Reportedly, they were engaged by a construction firm for the work of the Tiruchy Corporation.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of human rights violation. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation and Superintendent of Police, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of the investigation and compensation, if any, paid to the next of kin of the deceased workers.
According to the media report carried out on 23rd September, 2025, there was no clarity whether the victim workers were given proper safety gear or not.