Haryana Human Rights Commission orders probe after 2 workers die cleaning hotel septic tanks in Hansi

A Full Bench of the Commission, chaired by Justice Lalit Batra with members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, observed that the incident reflects a serious violation of the right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution, and contravenes the Supreme Court’s directives prohibiting manual sewer entry without safety gear.

Citing precedents such as Consumer Education & Research Centre vs Union of India (1995) and Safai Karamchari Andolan vs Union of India (2014), the Commission noted that manual entry into septic tanks without proper safety measures constitutes a crime. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, also bans such hazardous work and prescribes strict penalties.

HHRC, in its order pronounced on October 30 and released Tuesday, said, “The hotel management failed to provide trained personnel, protective equipment, and rescue arrangements, thereby violating constitutional and statutory duties”.

“The Deputy Commissioner, Hisar, to submit a report within six weeks on relief and compensation to the victims’ families; The Municipal Council, Hansi (or local Gram Panchayat), to report on license status, safety violations, and causes of the incident; The Superintendent of Police, Hansi, to provide details of the FIR and investigation progress; The hotel management to immediately ban manual entry into septic tanks and file a compliance report within six weeks”.

The Commission ordered that all reports have to be submitted before its next hearing on December 17.

HHRC spokesperson Dr Puneet Arora said, “The case underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and strict enforcement of safety norms to prevent such human rights violations”.