NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of School Gate Collapse Killing Two Girls in Odisha

April 24, 2026 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report concerning the death of two girl students after an iron gate collapsed at a government primary school in the Gajapati district of Odisha on 15 April 2026. The incident reportedly occurred while the children were playing near the school entrance.

Observing that the reported facts, if accurate, indicate a serious violation of human rights, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Odisha and the Superintendent of Police, Gajapati. They have been directed to submit a detailed report within two weeks.

As per the media report dated 16 April 2026, the girls were trapped under the fallen structure. Local residents rushed them to a nearby hospital, where they were declared dead by doctors.