What happened

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report on the reported deaths of eight women and a minor within a week after surgery in the gynaecology wards of government hospitals in Bhilwara and Banswara districts of Rajasthan.

The Commission has said that, if the reported facts are true, the incident raises serious issues of violation of human rights. The NHRC has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, and has sought a detailed report within two weeks.

Background and earlier position

The NHRC is the statutory human rights watchdog at the Union level. It examines allegations of human rights violations and can seek reports from public authorities when it takes up a matter on its own motion.

The media report dated 12 July 2026 stated that an investigation was already underway to determine the causes of death.