The NHRC today issued a notice to the Health Ministry and the Haryana government over reports of the death of a newborn in an ambulance that got stuck in a jam allegedly caused by a cycle rally of Haryana Pradesh Congress chief Ashok Tanwar in Sonipat district.
"The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that a newborn allegedly died as the ambulance carrying him could not reach to the hospital as it got stuck in the rally of a political party in Sonipat, Haryana, on August, 22," it said.
The commission has issued the notice to the state's chief secretary calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks along with the details of the relief provided to the aggrieved family.
It also directed the Haryana DGP to submit a report on steps taken on the FIR registered in the matter and present status of the investigation in the case.
The NHRC has also sent a notice to the Union Health Ministry and directed its secretary to submit a report within four weeks, making it mandatory to equip every ambulance, be it owned by government, private hospitals or outsourced, with the life-saving devices.
The baby died at the PGIMS, Rohtak, after the ambulance carrying him was allegedly stuck in the jam for over 30 minutes.
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In a police complaint filed yesterday, the newborn's father alleged that the ambulance carrying the baby was not equipped with oxygen facilities.
A case has been filed under section 304A (causing death by rash or negligent act) of the IPC and section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the police said.