NHRC Takes Cognizance of Death by Electrocution in Latehar, Calls for Action Taken Report
People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)
Varanasi | 16 September 2026
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint concerning the death of a 22-year-old man following an electric shock in Aragundi village, Sadar Police Station area, Latehar district, Jharkhand, and has directed the concerned authorities to conduct an inquiry and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks.
The matter concerns the death of Pappu Yadav, aged 22, a resident of Aragundi village in Latehar. The complaint was submitted to the NHRC by Lenin Raghuvanshi, Founder, People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), on 20 November 2025. The NHRC record identifies the matter as Case No. 166/34/22/2026 and categorises the incident as “Death Due to Electrocution.”
Death following electric shock
According to the complaint record, Pappu Yadav died on 8 November 2025 after coming into contact with an electric current in Aragundi village. The complaint drew the NHRC's attention to a contemporaneous report published by Dainik Bhaskar concerning the death.
The news report attached to the complaint stated that the incident occurred in the Sadar Police Station area of Latehar. It reported that police reached the spot, took custody of the body and sent it to the Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination.
According to the report, the police stated that the death appeared to have occurred due to electric shock, but that the precise circumstances in which Pappu Yadav came into contact with electricity had not yet been established. Police were investigating and awaiting the post-mortem report.
The attached newspaper clipping also identifies Pappu Yadav as the son of Mukesh Yadav and a resident of Aragundi. It reported that villagers knew him as someone who operated a DJ sound business.
PVCHR approaches the NHRC
Following the reported death, PVCHR submitted a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission on 20 November 2025, seeking an impartial inquiry into the circumstances of the death and appropriate relief for the victim's family.
The complaint requested that the Commission take cognizance of the matter, ensure an impartial investigation and examine the circumstances surrounding the electrocution so that justice and appropriate compensation could be considered.
The NHRC complaint record identifies Lenin Raghuvanshi as the complainant and Pappu Yadav as the victim.
NHRC seeks inquiry from multiple authorities
The complaint was placed before the NHRC on 14 September 2026.
The Commission recorded that the allegations in the complaint prima facie seemed to constitute violations of human rights. The Bench, presided over by Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Hon'ble Member, took cognizance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
The NHRC directed notices to:
- Superintendent of Police, Latehar
- Deputy Commissioner, Latehar
- Principal Secretary, Department of Energy, Government of Jharkhand
- General Manager, Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited, Ranchi
The authorities have been directed to have the allegations inquired into and submit an Action Taken Report within four weeks for consideration by the Commission.
Why an inquiry is important
The central question is not only that a young man died after coming into contact with electricity, but also how and why the fatal electrical contact occurred.
The NHRC direction provides an opportunity for the authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incident, including the condition of the electrical infrastructure and the circumstances leading to the death.
A transparent inquiry can help establish:
- the exact circumstances of the electrocution;
- whether any electrical installation or supply line was unsafe;
- whether responsible authorities had received any prior complaints;
- whether required safety measures were in place;
- the findings of the post-mortem examination;
- whether any negligence or failure of duty is established; and
- whether the victim's family is entitled to appropriate relief or compensation under applicable law.
These questions are matters for investigation and determination by the competent authorities.
Four-week deadline for the Action Taken Report
The NHRC communication dated 14 September 2026 directs the concerned authorities to submit the ATR within four weeks from receipt of the communication.
The Commission has also specifically stated that communications and reports from public authorities should be submitted through the HRCNet Portal, rather than relying on email submissions.
The inquiry will therefore be an important next step in determining what happened to Pappu Yadav and whether any responsibility can be established.
From a reported death to institutional accountability
The death of a young person in circumstances involving electricity raises questions that extend beyond an individual tragedy.
Electricity is an essential public service, but electrical infrastructure also carries significant safety responsibilities. Where a death occurs in circumstances that remain unclear, establishing the facts is essential for both justice for the affected family and prevention of similar incidents.
The NHRC's intervention brings the matter into a formal human-rights monitoring process.
PVCHR welcomes the direction for an inquiry and hopes that the concerned authorities will conduct a fair, impartial and evidence-based investigation, submit the ATR within the prescribed period, and ensure that the rights and interests of the bereaved family are duly considered.
Case Details
NHRC Case No.: 166/34/22/2026
NHRC Diary No.: 26891/IN/2025
Complainant: Lenin Raghuvanshi, PVCHR
Victim: Pappu Yadav, 22 years
Place: Aragundi, Sadar Police Station, Latehar, Jharkhand
Date of incident: 8 November 2025
Complaint submitted: 20 November 2025
NHRC consideration: 14 September 2026
Category: Death Due to Electrocution
NHRC Member presiding: Shri Priyank Kanoongo
Authorities directed to inquire: SP Latehar, DC Latehar, Principal Secretary–Energy, Government of Jharkhand, and General Manager, Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited
Time for ATR: Four weeks from receipt of the NHRC communication.
Important note: This article reports the contents of the complaint, accompanying news report and NHRC communication. It does not prejudge the cause of death, negligence, liability or responsibility of any person or authority. Those matters remain subject to investigation and due process.
Published by:
People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Date: Mon, Sep 14, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -166/34/22/2026
To: <sp-lat@nic.in>, <dc_lat@nic.in>, <psec.energy@gmail.com>, <gmitjbvn@gmail.com>, <gm_esadk@rediffmail.com>, <gm_dmkjseb@yahoo.in>, <pvchr.adv@gmail.com>
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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.- 166/34/22/2026 |
| Date : 14/09/2026 |
| To, |
| THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE LATEHAR JHARKHAND Email- sp-lat@nic.in THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER LATEHAR JHARKHAND Email- dc_lat@nic.in THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY Department of Energy, Government of Jharkhand RANCHI JHARKHAND Email- psec.energy@gmail.com THE GENERAL MANAGER Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited, Ranchi, Jharkhand RANCHI JHARKHAND Email- gmitjbvn@gmail.com,gm_esadk@ |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -166/34/22/2026. |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| The complaint/ intimation dated 20/11/2025, was placed before the Commission on 14/09/2026. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows: |
| The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, has entrusted the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, with the responsibility of protecting and promoting the rights of all human beings in the country and having the powers of a civil court for inquiry u/s 13 of the PHR Act, 1993. |
| 2. Accordingly, I am forwarding herewith a copy of the complaint/ intimation as an attachment for taking appropriate action in the matter as per the directions of the Commission. It is requested that an Action Taken Report be sent to the Commission within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of this letter. |
| 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 |
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