NHRC summons Muzaffarpur SSP over stray dog attack on newborn at hospital

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a summons to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, following a disturbing incident on May 15, in which a newborn was attacked and consumed by stray dogs at Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital. The incident occurred outside the hospital’s main gate, where a group of stray dogs mauled the infant for several hours. Despite the presence of hospital staff, security personnel, and police, no intervention was made to stop the attack, prompting outrage over the lack of action.

On February 3, the NHRC issued a summons to the SSP of Muzaffarpur, instructing the officer to appear before the Commission unless a complete and detailed investigation report is submitted by March 12. If the report is received within this period, the SSP’s in-person appearance could be waived. This action followed repeated requests from the NHRC to the Muzaffarpur district administration for updates on the investigation, which had not been provided promptly.

In the aftermath of the incident, three First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered at Ahiyapur Police Station under case numbers 75/24, 1429/24, and 1500/24. The FIRs address the mauling of the newborn and the failure of hospital staff and security to intervene. The police have initiated investigations into the matter, but the NHRC has expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of timely progress reports from the Muzaffarpur district administration. This prompted the NHRC to issue a summons to the SSP for accountability and to ensure a thorough investigation.

The NHRC’s involvement underscores the serious nature of the case, highlighting both the violation of human rights and the neglect of duty by hospital authorities and local law enforcement. The Commission’s mandate is to oversee the progress of the investigation and to ensure that appropriate action is taken against those responsible for the incident. The next hearing on the case is scheduled for March 12, where the NHRC will assess the status of the investigation and determine the next steps.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of patients, especially vulnerable individuals such as newborns, in hospital premises. Additionally, it has highlighted issues surrounding the control of stray animals and the responsibility of hospital management and local authorities to ensure the protection of individuals within healthcare facilities.