Haryana Human Rights panel orders probe into Gurugram STP Site collapse deaths

According to preliminary reports, a concrete retaining wall at the construction site collapsed, triggering a soil cave-in that buried multiple labourers under debris

Published on: Mar 23, 2026, 11:47:14 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance and ordered an inquiry into the wall collapse incident at an under-construction sewage treatment plant (STP) site in Gurugram’s Sidhrawali village near the Delhi–Jaipur Expressway on March 9 that killed seven labourers.

The matter has been listed for the next hearing on May 13. (Representative file photo)

According to preliminary reports, a concrete retaining wall at the construction site collapsed, triggering a soil cave-in that buried multiple labourers under debris. Rescue operations were carried out to retrieve those trapped, while the injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities.

Taking serious note of the incident, the full commission, comprising chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, expressed concern over alleged lapses in labour safety and possible negligence at the site. The commission observed that construction work remains one of the most hazardous sectors, particularly for migrant and economically vulnerable workers, and such incidents point towards systemic failures in enforcing safety norms.

Also Read: 800 high-rise buildings in Gurugram lack fire safety clearance

Emphasising that the right to safe and humane working conditions is intrinsic to the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, the commission stated that such tragedies cannot be dismissed as mere accidents and may amount to serious human rights violations.

The HHRC has issued notices to senior officials of the Town and Country Planning Department, Labour Department, Police, and Municipal Corporation Gurugram, among other authorities, directing them to submit detailed reports on the incident.

The commission has sought comprehensive information, including the factual status of the incident, number of casualties, details of rescue operations, compliance with statutory permissions and safety protocols, and safety arrangements at the site. It has also asked for details on action taken against those responsible, compensation and rehabilitation measures for victims, and steps to strengthen enforcement of labour safety laws.

Further, the commission underscored the need for strict implementation of existing legal frameworks, including the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation) Act, 1996, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

The matter has been listed for the next hearing on May 13.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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