Bhubaneswar, June 2026: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint concerning the death of sanitation workers during septic tank cleaning operations in Odisha and has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the district administration.
The complaint Rakshyakar Anupam National Convener, National Alliance of Independent Labour Union (NAILU),was filed the alleging serious violations of human rights, labour rights, and constitutional protections following the tragic deaths of sanitation workers reportedly exposed to toxic gases while cleaning a septic tank.
According to the petition submitted to the NHRC, the incident, reported in an Odia daily newspaper on May 27, 2026, resulted in the death of several workers who entered a septic tank without adequate safety equipment or mechanized cleaning systems. Other workers attempting rescue operations were also reportedly affected and required medical treatment.
The complaint Mr Anupam argues that the deaths reflect continuing failures in implementing laws prohibiting hazardous manual scavenging and unsafe septic tank cleaning. It highlights alleged violations of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to life and dignity, as well as provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
NAILU has urged the NHRC to ensure a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, fix accountability on negligent authorities and contractors, provide compensation and rehabilitation support to affected families, and strengthen enforcement of safety standards for sanitation workers.
In response, the NHRC has reportedly issued a notice to the concerned district administration seeking a detailed Action Taken Report on the incident.
Labour rights advocates have welcomed the Commission’s intervention, stating that repeated sewer and septic tank deaths across the country underscore the urgent need for mechanized sanitation systems, strict compliance with safety protocols, and enhanced protection for sanitation workers.
The organization emphasized that sanitation workers perform essential public services and deserve dignity, social security, and safe working conditions. It called upon authorities to take concrete measures to prevent recurrence of such tragedies and ensure that no worker is compelled to undertake hazardous manual cleaning operations.
The matter is currently under consideration before the National Human Rights Commission, and further action is expected upon receipt of the district administration’s report.
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