NHRC notice to Delhi government, DJB over boy's death

The national rights panel has issued notice to the Delhi government, Delhi Police and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) over the death of a child who was electrocuted in a park in the capital, a statement said on Thursday.

Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports, the National Human Rights Commission said the nine-year-old boy, Saurabh Sharma, was electrocuted on August 15 when he went to fetch a kite in a park in Badarpur area of south Delhi.

"Reportedly, he touched a defective live switch box of a DJB tubewell in the park and lost his life. The locals had earlier complained to the board officials to rectify the defective switch box but no action was taken by them," the NHRC said.

The commission has issued notice to the chief secretary of Delhi, police commissioner and the chairman of DJB, seeking a factual report within two weeks.

The NHRC further asked the chief secretary to submit another report on the guidelines issued for monitoring, proper maintenance of equipment and prevention of electrocution due to defective lines while the DJB chairman was asked to reveal the action taken against erring officials who ignored the complaints made by local residents.