Hisar brick kiln wall collapse: Haryana Human Rights Commission seeks report on incident that left 4 children dead
PTC Web Desk: The Haryana Human Rights Commission has initiated a probe into the tragic death of four children in a wall collapse at a brick kiln in Hisar’s Budana village, directing authorities concerned to submit comprehensive reports ahead of the next hearing on October 14.
The fatal incident occurred on December 22, 2024, when a wall at the brick kiln collapsed, killing four minors and injuring three others. The victims were children of migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh who were working and residing at the kiln site under extremely poor conditions.
The matter came to light following a formal complaint filed by a human rights activist. Acting upon the complaint, the commission—comprising chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia—observed that the children and their families had been living in “inhumane and unsafe” conditions.
Dr Puneet Arora, Information and Public Relations Officer of the commission, stated that the preliminary findings point to a gross violation of human rights and administrative negligence. The commission held that this tragedy could have been prevented had there been proper legal enforcement and provision of basic facilities such as secure housing, clean water, and sanitation.
The Bench also highlighted potential indicators of bonded labour, a practice outlawed under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The commission reminded that the brick kiln owner bore both a legal and moral obligation to ensure workplace and residential safety for labourers and their families.
The commission found the incident in violation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and dignity, as well as in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In its order dated July 24, the Commission issued several directives:
The Deputy Commissioner of Hisar must confirm whether compensation has been granted to the affected families.
The Assistant Labour Commissioner will investigate the presence of bonded labour at the kiln and initiate corrective actions.
The brick kiln owner is required to submit an explanation regarding the absence of safety measures and proper housing for the labourers.
All relevant officials are expected to submit their findings before the commission by October 14, when the next hearing is scheduled.
- With inputs from agencies
