NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported mismanagement of the hospital and police resulting in the death of a patient left unattended at the Kanpur Medical College, Uttar Pradesh

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that due to the alleged mismanagement of the hospital and police personnel, a 25-year-old patient died due to lack of proper treatment at the Kanpur Medical College, Uttar Pradesh on 9th August, 2025. Reportedly, two persons admitted him to the hospital in a serious condition and left. He was in an unconscious state.

Reportedly, the doctor on duty referred him to another hospital but since he had nobody to accompany him, the message was sent to the local police station to provide a guard to go with him. The police escort did not reach the hospital for about 6-7 hours and the patient died during this period. Moreover, the body of the victim remained in the ward for several hours till it started stinking, forcing the other patients to leave. Thereafter, the body shifted to the mortuary.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

According to the media report, carried on 11th August, 2025, the police claimed that a guard was sent to the hospital to escort the patient, but could not be taken to the referral facility due to non-availability of an ambulance. However, the hospital authorities reportedly claimed that an ambulance was available.