Ambala Jaundice Outbreak: NHRC Notices Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi Over 12-Year-Old Girl’s Death
NHRC issues notice to Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi over the death of a 12-year-old girl in Ambala amid suspected contaminated water and reported jaundice cases.
Chandigarh, August 7, 2026: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stepped into the reported jaundice outbreak in Haryana’s Ambala district after a 12-year-old girl died following an illness that was reportedly linked to contaminated drinking water. The Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and sought a detailed report from Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
The incident has raised fresh questions about access to safe drinking water and the responsibility of local authorities to protect public health. Several other children in the Shahzadpur locality of Ambala have also reportedly developed jaundice, prompting health teams to carry out door-to-door screening and monitor residents for signs of illness.
The NHRC has given the Haryana government two weeks to respond to its notice. The Commission wants details about the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death, the health condition of other affected children and the steps being taken by the administration to identify the source of the suspected contamination and prevent the situation from worsening.
NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Ambala Incident
The NHRC’s action follows a media report concerning the death of the 12-year-old girl in Ambala. According to the reported information, the girl allegedly developed jaundice after consuming contaminated drinking water and later died.
The Commission has treated the reported incident as a matter requiring examination from a human rights perspective. It has pointed out that, if the allegations contained in the report are found to be true, the situation could raise serious concerns regarding the possible violation of basic human rights, particularly the right to health and access to safe drinking water.
The NHRC has therefore sought an explanation from the state government rather than treating the girl’s death as an isolated medical incident. The response is expected to shed light on what happened in the locality, whether contaminated water was actually responsible for the illnesses and what preventive measures were taken by the authorities.
Notice Issued to Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi
The Commission has issued its notice to Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, a 1990-batch IAS officer. He has been asked to submit a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
The report sought by the NHRC is expected to include information about the children who have fallen ill and are currently undergoing treatment. The Commission is also looking for details about the steps taken by the district and state administration to control the situation and prevent additional cases.
The notice places the focus on both the immediate health crisis and the larger question of whether adequate safeguards were in place to ensure the quality of drinking water supplied to residents.
Suspected Contaminated Water Becomes a Major Concern
The reported contamination of drinking water has emerged as one of the central concerns in the Ambala incident. Residents of the affected locality have reportedly alleged that water supplied through a public tap was contaminated and may have contributed to the illnesses among children.
At this stage, however, the exact cause of the reported jaundice cases remains subject to investigation. The allegations made by residents are part of the information being examined by the authorities, and the NHRC’s intervention is expected to bring greater attention to the need for establishing the actual source of the illness.
Determining the cause will be important not only for understanding the death of the 12-year-old girl but also for protecting other residents who may have been exposed to the same suspected source of contamination.
Several Children Reportedly Fall Ill
The situation has caused concern in Shahzadpur after several children were reportedly diagnosed with jaundice. The death of the 12-year-old girl has added urgency to the response, with health authorities now monitoring the locality more closely.
Residents have expressed concern about the quality of the water available to them and the possibility that contaminated water could be affecting more people than initially reported. With additional fever cases being detected during health surveys, authorities are continuing to assess residents and identify those who may require medical attention.
The reported cases have also prompted the administration to step up surveillance rather than waiting for more residents to approach hospitals with serious symptoms.
Health Teams Begin Door-to-Door Screening
Local health authorities have launched door-to-door surveys in the affected area to understand the scale of the problem. Medical teams are visiting households, checking residents and looking for symptoms that could indicate jaundice or other illnesses.
During a survey conducted on Monday, health officials reportedly identified 11 people with fever. Two of those individuals were found to have symptoms associated with jaundice.
The health department carried out another survey on Tuesday, during which seven additional fever patients were identified. The continuing screening exercise is aimed at detecting cases as early as possible and ensuring that people who need medical treatment are not left without assistance.
The health teams are also expected to continue monitoring the situation in the locality as officials work to determine whether there is a common link between the reported illnesses.
NHRC Seeks Details of Preventive Measures
Apart from information about the patients, the NHRC has sought details about the preventive action being taken by the Haryana administration. This includes steps aimed at addressing the suspected water contamination and protecting residents from further exposure.
The Commission’s interest in the preventive measures is significant because the issue extends beyond the treatment of people who are already sick. If contaminated water is ultimately confirmed as the source of the outbreak, authorities would need to ensure that the suspected source is addressed and that residents have access to safe drinking water.
Continued health surveillance, testing of residents, identification of symptomatic people and timely medical care are among the areas likely to remain under scrutiny as the administration responds to the situation.
What Happens Next?
The Haryana government will now have to submit its response to the NHRC within the stipulated two-week period. The report is expected to provide more information about the girl’s death, the condition of other affected children and the action taken by government agencies on the ground.
The Commission’s inquiry could also bring greater clarity to the allegations concerning the public water supply in Shahzadpur. If shortcomings are found in the delivery of safe drinking water or in the response to the reported illnesses, the authorities may face additional questions regarding administrative responsibility.
For residents of the affected locality, the immediate priority remains clear – identifying the cause of the illnesses, ensuring proper treatment and preventing more people from falling sick.
Ambala Jaundice Outbreak: Key Points
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of reports concerning the death of a 12-year-old girl in Ambala after she reportedly developed jaundice. The incident has been linked by local residents to suspected contamination of drinking water, although the precise cause of the reported illnesses is still being examined.
The Commission has issued a notice to Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and asked for a detailed report within two weeks. The response is expected to cover the health status of affected children, the suspected water contamination and the preventive measures being implemented by the state and district administrations.
Meanwhile, health teams remain active in Shahzadpur and are conducting household-level screening. The first survey reportedly detected 11 fever patients, including two with jaundice symptoms, while a subsequent survey identified seven more people with fever.
The NHRC’s intervention has put the spotlight on a wider public health concern – ensuring that communities have access to safe drinking water and that potential outbreaks are identified and controlled before they spread further. The Haryana government’s response to the Commission will now be closely watched, particularly for details on the source of the suspected contamination and the measures being taken to safeguard residents.
