NHRC issues notices to UP Govt. on allegations of mortgaging of children due to starvation

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Government's chief secretary and Lalitpur district magistrate to submit a detailed report into the allegations that due to severe drought in the district, a number of cases of starvation have been reported over the months and some families have sold or mortgaged their children for a small sum of money for their survival.

The commission has given four weeks time to submit a report. The commission has also directed its Director General (Investigation) to send a team for an on-the-spot investigation into these very serious allegations and submit a report within two weeks.

The commission took cognizance of the issue on the basis of a complaint which also carried a number of news clippings on the plight of poor people including those belonging to Saharia Tribe in the district.