case of death in bihar shelter home nhrc issues notice to nitish government

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated suo motu cognizance in response to media reports of an incident of food poisoning at a shelter home in Patel Nagar area of ​​Patna, Bihar. The incident, which occurred between November 7–11, 2024, affected 13 female inmates at a mental health and homeless women’s facility. Tragically, three women lost their lives, while others developed symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after eating the dinner.

The affected people were soon shifted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment. The accommodation, funded by the Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the Bihar government, is now reportedly under investigation in the wake of the incident. The NHRC has expressed serious concern over the potential human rights violations highlighted by this case. The Commission stressed that, as legal guardians, asylum officers are responsible for the welfare of prisoners under their care. The council described the incident as a serious matter that requires immediate attention.

In view of the report, NHRC has sent a notice to the Chief Secretary of Bihar requesting him to submit a detailed report within two weeks. “The report should include the current health condition of the victims, whether compensation has been provided to the affected persons or their families and the measures taken by the Bihar government to prevent such incidents in future.” According to media reports published on November 14, 2024, an inspection of the shelter home revealed that inmates were living in unsanitary conditions. Additionally, food preparation processes at the facility were found to be inadequate in maintaining proper sanitation standards, which may have contributed to food poisoning.