NHRC orders Bihar to report on two workers' septic tank deaths

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a reported incident where two workers died in a septic tank in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and has ordered state authorities to provide a detailed report on the investigation and compensation within two weeks.

Who it concerns: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the State Chief Secretary, District Magistrate, and Senior Superintendent of Police of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and the Next of Kin (NoK) of the deceased workers.

What the Commission said or ordered

• NHRC took suo motu cognizance of media reports stating two workers died due to asphyxiation in a septic tank in Sikandarpur Police Station area on 14th September, 2026.
• NHRC issued notices to the State Chief Secretary, District Magistrate, and SSP, Muzaffarpur, requiring detailed reports within two weeks.
• The required reports must include the status of the investigation and details of any compensation paid to the Next of Kin (NoK) of the victims.
• The incident reportedly occurred while workers were removing shuttering from the septic tank.
• The matter is under investigation to determine if there was a breach of safety protocols.

Also in the document

• NHRC observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights.
• The media report regarding the incident was carried on 15th September, 2026.