NHRC Directs Compensation in Bokaro Protest Death Case
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious cognizance of the tragic death of 26-year-old Prem Kumar Mahato, who lost his life during a protest in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand on 3 April 2025.
The incident occurred when the Displaced Apprentices Union organized a dharna demanding employment opportunities at Bokaro Steel Plant. Despite the administration’s refusal to grant permission, the protest went ahead. Tensions escalated between demonstrators and security personnel, including the CISF. Reports confirm that Prem Mahato was struck by a stick during the clash, collapsed on the spot, and was later declared dead at Bokaro General Hospital.
Following the death, massive protests broke out, roads were blocked, and prohibitory orders were imposed across Bokaro. The situation normalized only by the evening of 5 April 2025.
NHRC Intervention
The case was brought to the Commission’s attention by Lenin Raghuvanshi, human rights defender and Founder of People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR).
After reviewing the inquiry report submitted by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Chas, the NHRC observed that:
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The death of an unemployed, educated youth occurred as a direct result of injuries sustained during the protest.
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This constitutes a serious human rights concern linked to the right to life and dignity.
Accordingly, the Commission has directed the Government of Jharkhand, through its Chief Secretary, to:
The matter is scheduled to be placed before the Commission again on 9 October 2025.
Why This Matters
This intervention underscores the NHRC’s vital role in:
The Bokaro incident highlights the urgent need for dialogue-based conflict resolution and protection of citizens’ democratic right to protest, especially when linked to livelihood and employment concerns.
๐ Related Reading: Nepal’s Youth Are Being Met With Bullets, Not Dialogue
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| NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
| MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023 |
| Fax No.: 011-24651332 Website: www.nhrc.nic.in |
| (Law Division) |
| Case No.- 245/34/1/2025 |
| Date : 09/09/2025 |
| To, |
| THE SECRETARY Department of Urban Development, Room no. 411, IVth Floor, Project Building, Dhurwa, Ranchi JHARKHAND JHARKHAND 834003 Email- ud.secy@gmail.com |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Additional Information Called for(AIC) -245/34/1/2025. |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 09/09/2025 and the Commission has directed as follows.: |
| 1. The Commission received a complaint dated:04-04-2025, from Sh.Lenin Raghuvanshi, R/o. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh informing a tragic incident during the ongoing protest in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand, wherein the displaced people were demonstrating for employment on 03-04-2025. It was further stated that the protest turned violent, when the security forces deployed at Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) and CISF resorted to a lathi-charge on the protesters and this led to the death of 26-year-old Prem Mahato and injuries to several women. 3. The Commission received a report dated:02-08-2025, from Sub-Divisional Officer, Chas, whereby it was stated that, an application was submitted by the Displaced Apprentices Union on 01-04-2025 for permission to hold a dharna on 03-04-2025 regarding employment in Bokaro Steel Plant. Keeping in mind the possible law and order problem at the site, the application was rejected and information regarding this was also given to the applicants, as well as the concerned Police Station and City DSP etc. Despite this, on 03-04-2025, a dharna demonstration was organized by the Displaced Apprentices Union without permission. During the dharna, the Zonal Officer, the local police station officials and the CISF personnel deployed for security tried to convince the protesters to protest peacefully, but the protesters did not calm down. The protesters started clashing with the CISF personnel at 9 am and the movement of the common people was blocked there. In the evening, sticks were thrown between the displaced apprentices union and the CISF personnel. In this sequence, a person (Prem Kumar Mahato) was hit by a stick, due to which he fell unconscious on the ground immediately. He was taken to Bokaro General Hospital by the BSL management in an ambulance for treatment, where he was declared dead. Thereafter, the entire Bokaro was closed on 04-04-2025 by the angry protesters regarding the above matter. All the roads were blocked. It was further stated that, in view of the deteriorating law and order situation and sensitivity, prohibitory orders were imposed in the entire Bokaro area on 04-04-2025 at 9:00 pm under Section-163 of the IPC and when situation became completely normal from afternoon to 9:00 pm on 05-04-2025, the prohibitory order was withdrawn at 9:30 pm on 05-04-2025. 4. The Commission has perused the report dated:02-08-2025, received from the Sub-Divisional Officer, Chas, whereby it was acknowledged that, one protestor had died, because of the injury caused by getting hit by the stick. As there is a death of an unemployed educated youth, caused by getting hit by stick, during the protest seeking employment, the Commission deems it fit case, where a monetary compensation be provided to the NoK’s of the deceased. In view of same, the Commission directs the Government of Jharkhand, through its Chief Secretary, to provide the monetary compensation of Rs.05,00,000/- to the NoK’s of the deceased and transmit the proof of the payment so made, to the Commission within 02 (two) weeks. 5. Put before the Commission on 09-10-2025. |
| 2. It is therefore, requested that the additional/ complete report as directed by the Commission in the matter be sent latest by 03/10/2025, for futher consideration by the Commission. |
| 3. Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained |
Your’s faithfully |
| CC to |
| THE CHIEF SECRETARY 1ST FLOOR, PROJECT BUILDING,DHURWA, RANCHI- 834004 JHARKHAND Email- cs-jharkhand@nic.in |
L. M. Pathak  |
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