The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a nine year old child, Saurabh Sharma was electrocuted when he went to fetch a kite in a DDA Park in Badarpur area of the National Capital on August 15.
According to reports, the boy happened to touch a defective live switch box of a Delhi Jal Board tube well in the park and lost his life. The locals had complained to the Jal Board officials to rectify the defective switch box but no action was taken by them.
Issuing notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner and Chairman, Delhi Jal Board, the Commission has observed that the contents of media reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim child.
Further, the Commission has asked the Delhi Chief Secretary to also submit a report on the mechanism in place and/ or guidelines issued for monitoring, proper maintenance of equipment and prevention of electrocution due to defective lines/equipment in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The Chairman, Delhi Jal Board has been asked to submit a report also on the action taken against the erring officials for ignoring the complaints made by the local people as reported by media.
