In his petition to NHRC Chairman, Justice H L Dattu, DMK Organisation Secretary R S Bharathi alleged there were "gross human rights" violation in election rallies held by Jayalalithaa so far.
She had held public meetings at Vridhachalam and Salem recently, when "severe heat wave persisted", Bharathy said and alleged that five persons had died in the meetings as they were made to wait under the sun for long periods.
All of Jayalalithaa's meetings were being held under "blazing sun and under deplorable conditions", like lack of water and sanitation facilities even as they were made to wait for long hours at the rally venue, he claimed.
Seeking the commission to "take notice of the gross violation" of human rights in the meetings, the party requested NHRC "to intervene" immediately and ensure that no further violations take place.
Jayalalithaa has promised to disburse relief to the families from the party welfare fund after elections since the model code of conduct was in place in the state.