By IANS,
New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday directed the Delhi government to pay Rs.1 lakh as relief to the family of a child who was killed when a gate of a newly-constructed community hall collapsed on him in the capital.
Two children – Rohit and Akash – were seriously injured when the gate of the community hall in the Mandawali area of the city collapsed in 2010. Later, Rohit died from the injuries.
The Delhi government has also been directed to pay Rs.3,500 to Akash.
“It was only after several notices of the commission that the Delhi government submitted the report of the chief engineer of its irrigation and flood control department, concluding that the agency which executed the construction was responsible for the defective work,” the NHRC said.
The report added that misuse of the gate for swinging by the children also contributed to its collapse, the commission said in a press release.
Setting aside the contention that the swinging on the gate by the children contributed considerably to its collapse, the apex human rights panel held that the gate fell due to the “inherent defect” in its construction.
The chief secretary of Delhi government has been directed to submit a compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks.