Newborn’s Arm Severed in Nuh Hospital, Rights Panel Probes

Download IPFS

On July 30, 2025, at Civil Hospital Mandikhera in Nuh district, Haryana, a newborn’s right arm was reportedly severed completely from the shoulder during delivery, prompting urgent intervention by the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC). The Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the case, describing it as a potential violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which guarantees the right to life, survival, development, and adequate healthcare.

The HHRC’s full bench, headed by Justice Lalit Batra (retd.) and including members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, has directed the Civil Surgeon of Nuh to submit a detailed report within 15 days. The report must outline the circumstances of the delivery, the names and designations of the medical staff present, the reasons for the injury, the treatment provided to the newborn, any internal inquiry findings, and an explanation for alleged misconduct toward the family.

According to local media reports, the newborn’s mother, identified as Sarjina, is a resident of Doha village in Ferozepur Jhirka. She was admitted to the hospital at around 6:30 pm for childbirth. Police sources say the family was initially told the baby had sustained only a minor cut. However, upon seeing the child, they discovered that the entire right arm had been severed at the shoulder. When the family protested, hospital staff allegedly used abusive language and forcibly removed them from the ward.

Following the incident, the newborn was referred to Nalhar Hospital for further medical care. The HHRC stated that the case reflects egregious medical negligence and institutional apathy within a government‑run facility, highlighting a failure to follow standard delivery protocols. Justice Batra described the event as a shocking example of medical negligence and raised concerns about the state of public healthcare in the region.

The Commission has emphasised that it will monitor the investigation closely. The Civil Surgeon’s findings could lead to departmental action against those responsible, possible legal proceedings, and policy recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The HHRC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly newborns and mothers, and ensuring that cases of suspected medical negligence are addressed swiftly and transparently.