‘Negligence, apathy’: HHRC slams officials for denying due honour to Jind man who died saving 11; urges state recognition

Criticising the indifference of officials, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has said that their failure to act at the right time deprived a Jind resident, who died while rescuing 11 people trapped in a burning house in 2012, of due national recognition. The HHRC also suggested that the state government consider conferring a state-level gallantry award on him.

The order was delivered on Friday by a bench led by Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and comprising Kuldeep Jain and Deep Bhatia. The Commission also recommended that the Chief Secretary submit a report within six weeks fixing responsibility for the delay, and suggested that the state request the Centre to consider this case specially.

“This delay is purely the result of administrative negligence and apathy, causing injustice not only to the family but also to society at large. Despite clear recommendations and extraordinary merit, the matter was never concluded in time and remained stuck in bureaucratic delays.”

As per the complaint filed by Chander Bhan, father of Pillukhera native Saurabh Garg, with the HHRC, Saurabh sacrificed his life on December 8, 2012, while saving 11 people who were trapped in a burning house following gas leakage from an LPG cylinder at Pillukhera in Jind.

“His act of courage, sacrifice, and selflessness remains unmatched. Despite being merely a neighbour, he rushed to the spot on a cold December morning, placed a ladder, and rescued all 11 persons (including women and children) one by one. Once all were safe, a massive explosion occurred, and he himself perished in the flames,” Bhan stated.

At the outset, the HHRC recorded that such bravery, “where a young citizen voluntarily risks and ultimately sacrifices his life for others’ safety, epitomises the highest ideals of humanity and deserves to be recognised by the nation. The sacrifice of late Saurabh Garg is not only a personal bereavement for his family but a matter of pride for society and the State”.

The deceased’s father has been pursuing recognition of this sacrifice for over a decade. “Records reveal that within a week of the incident, the Deputy Commissioner, Jind, recommended the case to the Haryana Home Department. Subsequent communications followed (in 2012, 2015, 2022, 2023 and 2024). On 22.02.2013, the Haryana Vidhan Sabha deliberated upon the incident and paid tribute by observing silence,” the HHRC’s order mentioned.

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“A letter dated 13.05.2013 was also sent by the Assembly to the Deputy Commissioner, Jind, conveying condolence and sympathy to the bereaved family. Letters dated 24.12.2012 and 11.01.2013 from the Prime Minister’s Office were also addressed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, reflecting national-level acknowledgement,” the order stated.

The Commission noted that at the time, “a well-established Government of India policy was in place for recommending gallantry and life-saving acts for National Awards”. “The Haryana Government could have forwarded the case under this policy. However, due to failure of the concerned authorities to move the file within the prescribed timeline, the deceased was deprived of this benefit,” it observed.

The Commission further observed: “Now, the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Haryana, has informed that according to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Notification dated 01.04.2024, only cases within the last two years can be nominated, hence late Saurabh Garg’s name cannot be considered for the Prime Minister’s Jeevan Raksha Padak. The financial assistance of Rs 5,00,000/- cannot be a substitute for the honour and recognition due to his supreme sacrifice,” it stated.

As per Dr Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer, the Commission has issued the following recommendations on the matter: “The Chief Secretary, Haryana, shall submit a report within six weeks fixing responsibility for the delay caused since 2012; State Government shall request the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to relax the restriction imposed by the Notification dated 01.04.2024 and consider this case specially.”

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The statement added, “The state government shall also consider conferring upon late Saurabh Garg an appropriate State-level Gallantry Award; and A copy of the order shall be sent to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Haryana, for his personal attention and necessary action at the highest level.”

Stating that Garg’s bravery deserves recognition as he served as an inspiration to the entire society, the HHRC said, “His martyrdom conveys the eternal message that courage, humanity, and selfless service will never go unacknowledged.”

In addition, Garg’s father had also informed the HHRC that the “Shaheed Saurabh Garg Memorial” constructed by the government was not being properly maintained. On this, the Commission directed the secretary of the Pillukhera Market Committee to prepare a detailed maintenance plan for cleaning, lighting, gardening, and upkeep.

“Create a separate budget head for maintenance; Appoint a gardener and sanitation worker; Provide dustbins, benches, drinking water facility, and solar/LED lights; Display a notice board mentioning the significance of the memorial and the responsible authority; and Nominate an officer for regular inspection and supervision,” it added.

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