The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Thursday took cognisance of the deaths of three minor girls due to starvation in east Delhi on Tuesday.
In a statement, the NHRC said it had issued notices to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Secretary and the Delhi government’s Chief Secretary, seeking reports within four weeks. The NHRC observed that the Right to Food was an integral part of the Right to Life and the National Food Security Act, 2013, also ensured access to food.
“It is, therefore, evident that despite legal provisions and machinery in place, the children had to starve to death. The deceased children have been denied their basic human rights,” the NHRC said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the DCW issued notices to the Delhi Police and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Preet Vihar. Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the women’s commission initiated an inquiry into the incident.
In the notice to the SDM, the DCW sought a factual report of the incident, including details of the “circumstances that led to the deaths”. Further, the DCW asked the Delhi Police to provide a status report of the investigation and a copy of the post-mortem report.
Details pertaining to the health status of the parents have also been sought by the women’s commission. The authorities have been asked to respond to the notices by Friday.