The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of Maharashtra over the reported death of seventeen people in a building collapse in Palghar district of the state.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the commission has sought a detailed report within two weeks. The Commission has observed that if the contents of the news report are true, it raises serious issues of violation of human rights.
Media reports mentioned that seventeen people died and eight people were injured in the incident. It also highlighted that the building might have collapsed due to the use of inferior-quality construction material.
Reportedly, the building was unauthorised and constructed more than a decade ago, it said.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in a statement, said it has “taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that 17 people died and eight were injured when a portion of a four-storey apartment collapsed in the Virar East area of Palghar district, Maharashtra, on August 27”.
However, the residents were paying taxes to the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), believing the building was authorised as per the notarised documents, the statement said.