The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) has issued a strong reminder to the Chandauli district administration in Uttar Pradesh after officials failed to respond to earlier directions regarding the severe humanitarian crisis in Kelhariya village.
In proceedings dated 21 May 2026, the NHRC warned that coercive action under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 may be initiated if the District Magistrate of Chandauli fails to submit the long-pending Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks.
The case (No. 10648/24/19/2025) stems from a complaint filed by human rights defender Lenin Raghuvanshi regarding decades-long denial of access to safe drinking water and basic public services in Kelhariya village of Naugarh block, Chandauli district.
NHRC’s Strong Observation
In its latest communication, the Commission noted that despite earlier directions issued on 28 January 2026, the district administration had failed to submit any report.
The NHRC stated:
“The Commission shall be constrained to invoke coercive process, under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 for physical appearance of the authority concerned.”
This marks a significant escalation by India’s apex human rights body and reflects growing concern over administrative inaction in one of Uttar Pradesh’s most neglected regions.
A Village Living Without Water
Kelhariya village has become emblematic of rural deprivation and governance failure.
Residents continue to depend on a seasonal natural stream locally known as a chuaad, which dries up during summer months. According to villagers and field investigations:
- No functional piped drinking water system exists
- Hand pumps remain defunct
- Borewell attempts have failed
- Water tanker supply is irregular and inadequate
- Roads, schools, healthcare, and public transport remain largely absent
Women and children bear the heaviest burden, walking long distances daily to collect water. Many children reportedly miss school because they are required to assist their families in fetching water.
Seasonal Migration for Survival
During extreme summer conditions, several families reportedly migrate temporarily toward areas near the Musakhand Dam and the Karmanasa River in search of water.
Such displacement is not voluntary migration for livelihood improvement—it is distress migration caused by environmental neglect and administrative failure.
The crisis disrupts education, health, employment, and community life, while deepening poverty among already marginalised populations.
Independent Documentation Supports Villagers’ Claims
The situation in Kelhariya has also been independently documented by Frontline magazine, which highlighted the intersection of ecological vulnerability, governance gaps, and failed implementation of public welfare schemes.
The report noted that despite repeated promises under the Har Ghar Jal programme, villagers still lack reliable access to drinking water.
Water as a Human Right
The complaint before the NHRC argues that denial of safe drinking water violates Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to life and dignity.
Access to water is also recognised internationally as a fundamental human right by the United Nations General Assembly.
The petition calls for:
- Immediate establishment of a sustainable drinking water system
- Regular emergency tanker supply
- Accountability for administrative negligence
- Priority protection for women, children, elderly persons, and vulnerable communities
- Independent monitoring and field investigation
Why This Case Matters Nationally
Kelhariya is not an isolated exception.
Across rural India, many remote villages continue to suffer despite large-scale infrastructure announcements and flagship schemes. The case raises deeper questions:
- Why do development promises fail at the last mile?
- Why are marginalised communities forced to seek intervention from human rights bodies for basic necessities?
- How long can access to water remain dependent on geography, caste, poverty, or political visibility?
The NHRC’s intervention is important because it reframes water scarcity not merely as a development issue, but as a question of human dignity, equality, and constitutional rights.
What Happens Next
The District Magistrate, Chandauli, has now been directed to submit the pending report by 28 June 2026.
Human rights observers say the real test lies beyond paperwork: whether the administration delivers sustainable infrastructure and long-term relief rather than temporary responses.
For the people of Kelhariya, the issue is simple.
Water is not a privilege.
It is a right.
|  May 21, 2026, 4:36 PM (7 hours ago) | |||
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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.- 10648/24/19/2025 |
| Date : 21/05/2026 |
| To, |
| THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE DISTRICT COLLECTORATE, CHANDAULI UTTAR PRADESH 232104 Email- dmchn@nic.in |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) Dated 28/01/2026 - Reminder (Case No. - 10648/24/19/2025). |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 21/05/2026 and the Commission has directed as follows.: |
| 1. These proceedings shall be read in continuation with earlier proceedings of the Commission. |
| 2. It is therefore, requested that the additional/ complete report as directed by the Commission in the matter be sent latest by 28/06/2026, 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 GOVERNMENT OF UTTAR PRADESH, 1ST FLOOR, ROOM NO. 110, LALBAHADUR SASTRI BHAWAN, UTTAR PRADESH SECRETARIAT, LUCKNOW-226001 UTTAR PRADESH Email- cs-uttarpradesh@nic.in,csup@ |
Mukesh |
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Case No.: 10648/24/19/2025
Action Name: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR)
Action Date: 28/01/2026
Action Due Date: 07/03/2026
The Commission has received a complaint from Shri Lenin Raghuvanshi, a human rights activist from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh alleging that the residents of Kelhariya village of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, have been facing acute water shortage since several years. The complainant has also alleged that the basic facilities like roads, hospitals, schools are not available in the village. The villagers have to travel long distances for schools and basic medical care. Despite making several complaints, no action has been taken by the authorities, till date. The complainant has requested the Commission to intervene into the matter.
Transmit a copy of the complaint to the District Magistrate, Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh calling for a report in the matter within 4 weeks.
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