The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intervened in the case of 30‑year‑old tribal woman Lachhanti Majhi’s death at the Nuapada District Headquarters Hospital, directing the Collector and CDMO to submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks.
The intervention follows a complaint filed on August 31 by Human Rights Front India president Manoj Jena, alleging medical negligence and violation of human rights. The petition claimed that Lachhanti, admitted with fever on August 25, later developed severe chest and abdominal pain. In the absence of a doctor, an unauthorised staff member allegedly administered an injection without medical advice, after which her condition deteriorated, and she died.
The complaint further alleged that despite repeated requests from her family, the attending doctor refused to refer her to Bhima Bhoi Medical College, Balangir, even as her condition worsened.
NHRC has registered the case under No. 854/18/30/2026 and sought a detailed probe into the circumstances of her death, the role of medical staff, and whether negligence contributed to the tragedy.
Earlier, district officials had assured an administrative inquiry, but the progress and findings remain unclear. With NHRC’s directive, the case has taken a new turn, raising hopes that the truth behind Lachhanti’s death will be established and accountability fixed.
