Haryana rights panel orders compensation after youth's death

A youth's death from falling into an open stormwater drain in Faridabad has led the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) to criticize the local municipal corporation. They describe the failure to fix infrastructure problems as "gross negligence" and a violation of the right to life. The incident occurred on July 31, 2024, and involved 22-year-old Prince from Adarsh Nagar. The commission issued an order for the municipality to compensate his family and conduct a detailed safety assessment of urban infrastructure. An independent committee will be set up to investigate the accident and identify responsible officials. Justice Lalit Batra, chairman of the HHRC, expressed concern over the municipal authorities' negligence in ensuring public safety. He noted that despite numerous complaints from residents about the dangerous condition of the drainage system, no action was taken. The commission stated that it is the responsibility of municipal bodies to ensure safety in public spaces. They called for immediate corrective measures, including covering all open drains and installing proper fencing and warning signs. The HHRC has asked the Faridabad municipal commissioner for a detailed report by May 5, 2025. They also requested that all municipal agencies in Haryana conduct audits of their infrastructure by the same date. The commission stressed the need for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.