NHRC notice to Centre, Delhi Govt over death of 3 sisters due to malnutrition

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that three minor sisters : Mansi, 8, Shika, 4, and Parul, 2, allegedly died due to malnutrition / starvation in East Delhi’s Mandawali on July 24, 2018, as per the per the preliminary post-mortem report.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi and Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, calling for reports in the matter within four two weeks. Both the authorities have been requested further to submit the status report of Antodhya Yojana.

The Commission has observed that contents of the media reports, if true,  raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim children. “Right to Food” is an integral part of the Fundamental Right to life so enshrined in Article-21 of the Indian Constitution.  Moreover, the National Food Security Act, 2013, has also been enacted to provide food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at an affordable price to all its citizens to live a life with dignity, according o an NHRC release.

It is, therefore, evident that despite legal provisions and machinery in place, the children had to starve to death.  The deceased children have been denied their basic human rights.  The State authorities, therefore, are lacking in discharging their duty.

According to the media reports, carried on July 26, 2018, a Medical Board has been formed to re-conduct the post-mortem and to confirm the exact cause of death.  A Magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the matter. It is further reported that the mother of the victim children is suffering from mental health issues and their father is untraceable.