NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of at least five labourers and injuries to twenty others in an under-construction building collapse in Kolkata, West[...]

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that at least five labourers died and twenty others were injured when an under-construction warehouse building collapsed in the Taratala area of Kolkata district in West Bengal on 24th June 2026. Reportedly, 12 to 15 people were feared trapped under the debris. Allegedly, the sanctioned building plan was faulty, resulting in the tragedy.

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 West Bengal Chief Secretary, Kolkata Police Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the status of the investigation as well as compensation, if any, paid to the next of kin of the deceased and injured.

According to the media report, carried on 25th June 2026, about forty labourers were working at the construction site when the concrete casting of the iron structure of the under-construction warehouse suddenly collapsed, trapping several workers beneath the debris.

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NSK