The Director General of Police (DGP) and the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh have received letters from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) requesting a report on the Jhansi hospital fire.

The NHRC called the occurrence “disturbing” and implied that the major human rights violation was caused by carelessness. Within a week, the authorities are expected to deliver a comprehensive report.

According to the NHRC’s statement, it took suo motu cognisance of a media report stating that a fire at the Jhansi hospital on November 15 claimed the lives of at least ten newborn infants. Thirty-seven newborns were saved by hospital officials, while 16 babies were injured.

The panel emphasized, quoting the report, that “the police authorities have confirmed that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit and the babies, who died, were in incubators at the time of the incident.” Additionally, the committee has requested that the authorities outline the steps they plan to take to guarantee that such occurrences never happen again. The commission said that the report should include the investigation’s progress, the actions taken against the accountable authorities, the medical care given to the wounded, and any compensation given to the harmed families.

According to Jhansi District Magistrate Avinash Kumar, the authorities gave the family the remains of seven newborns once they were identified. “We are providing clarification about one kid, and the inquiry to identify three more is still ongoing. We’re talking to their family members, and we’re checking their weight and dimensions. Three of the other kids who were hospitalized are in critical condition. “On the surface, it appears that an electric short circuit caused the situation,” Kumar was cited by ANI as saying.

On November 16, the Uttar Pradesh government established a high-level committee consisting of four members to look into the matter. The members, who are from the UP Health Department and are chaired by the DG Medical Education, have seven days to turn in their report.