NHRC Issues Notice to Rajasthan Government Over Fatal Sewer Pit Collapse in Ajmer

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Rajasthan government and the Ajmer police commissioner following the death of a 50-year-old labourer during sewer pit excavation work. The incident occurred on July 14 at the site of a power plant in Ajmer district, where the victim was buried alive after soil reportedly caved in.

According to reports cited by the NHRC, the labourer and several co-workers were digging a 30-foot-deep pit when the collapse took place. The victim was working approximately 18 feet below ground when the soil gave way, trapping him under the debris. The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the case based on media coverage published on July 15.

In its statement, the commission noted that if the reported facts are accurate, the incident raises serious concerns regarding workplace safety and human rights violations. The NHRC has requested a detailed report from the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan and the Ajmer Police Commissioner within two weeks. It has specifically asked for information on the circumstances surrounding the collapse, any compensation offered to the victim’s family, and what preventive measures are being taken.

The case has once again highlighted the persistent issue of hazardous working conditions in India’s construction and infrastructure sectors. Fatalities resulting from unsafe excavation and construction practices often point to systemic shortcomings in the enforcement of labour safety regulations.

The NHRC emphasized that both government bodies and private contractors involved in such projects must ensure strict compliance with safety standards, particularly when work is carried out on public or government-managed properties.

The commission’s intervention is in line with its national mandate to safeguard basic rights, including the right to a safe working environment. It has urged the Rajasthan authorities to ensure accountability and take corrective action to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The state government is expected to respond with a full account of the incident, including investigation results, actions against those found negligent, and steps taken to improve safety compliance.