NHRC Demands Report from Rajasthan Chief Secretary on Maternal Deaths

New Delhi, India Jul 17, 2026 ALN: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported maternal deaths in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara and Banswara districts and issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of the Rajasthan government, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

The Commission acted on media reports highlighting the deaths of women following childbirth at government hospitals in the two districts. According to the reports, eight women, including a minor, died within a week after undergoing treatment or childbirth-related procedures. Five deaths were reported at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara, while three, including a minor, occurred at the District Hospital in Banswara.

In its notice, the NHRC observed that if the reported facts are accurate, the incidents raise serious concerns of human rights violations, particularly regarding access to safe maternal healthcare in the BJP-ruled state. The Commission has sought a comprehensive report from the Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma government outlining the circumstances surrounding the deaths, findings of ongoing investigations, and the measures being taken to prevent similar incidents.

Maternal health is a critical aspect of public health policy, particularly in developing regions where access to quality healthcare services can be limited. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines maternal mortality as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management. High rates of maternal mortality are often indicative of broader systemic issues within healthcare systems, including inadequate access to prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric services.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that maternal fatalities have continued in Banswara. A woman reportedly died following childbirth on Wednesday night, coinciding with the visit of Rajasthan Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvasar to the district. With this incident, six postpartum women and three newborns have reportedly died in Banswara in recent days. This alarming trend has raised concerns among health officials and the general public regarding the quality of maternal healthcare services available in the region.

Preliminary reports indicate that severe anemia may have contributed to several of the maternal deaths. Anemia during pregnancy is a common condition that can lead to serious complications if not addressed. One of the latest cases involved 20-year-old Shilpa, a resident of Kalakhunta village in Sajjangarh block. She reportedly delivered a stillborn baby before reaching a healthcare facility and was later referred from a rural hospital to the district hospital on July 14. Owing to excessive bleeding and her critical condition, she was referred to Udaipur, where she reportedly died on July 15. This case highlights the critical importance of timely medical intervention and the need for adequate healthcare facilities in rural areas.

The reported maternal deaths in Banswara include Rekha (29), Ambapura, Reshma (23) Alkakheda, Madhya Pradesh, Lakshmi (21), Savaniya, Ghatol, Leela (32), Kahela, Garhi, Lakshmi (32) and Patela Panda. In Bhilwara, five women died within six days after undergoing Caesarean deliveries at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital. The deceased were identified as Shimla Gurjar (July 5), Phori Devi (July 7), Isha Pandey (July 8), Divya (July 9), and Sangeeta Jinagar (July 10). These deaths are particularly concerning as they occurred within a short time frame, suggesting potential systemic issues at the healthcare facilities involved.

According to reports, all five women were shifted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit after their condition deteriorated but could not be saved. Reports have also indicated that an infection screening of one of the hospital’s operation theatres tested positive, prompting further scrutiny. However, Mahatma Gandhi Hospital Superintendent, Dr. Arun Gaur, has maintained that the deaths resulted from severe obstetric complications and has denied allegations of medical negligence. The NHRC is expected to examine the state’s response after receiving the Chief Secretary’s report.

The situation in Rajasthan is reflective of a larger issue affecting maternal health across India. Despite significant progress in reducing maternal mortality rates over the past two decades, disparities remain, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access is limited. Factors such as poverty, lack of education, and inadequate infrastructure contribute to these disparities. The Indian government has implemented various programs aimed at improving maternal health, including the Janani Suraksha Yojana, which provides financial assistance for institutional deliveries. However, the effectiveness of these programs can be hampered by systemic issues at the local level.

The NHRC's involvement in this case underscores the importance of accountability in the healthcare system. The commission's mandate includes the protection and promotion of human rights, and maternal health is a critical component of this mandate. The NHRC's request for a report from the Chief Secretary is a step towards ensuring that the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths are thoroughly investigated and addressed. The outcomes of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for maternal healthcare policies in Rajasthan and potentially serve as a model for other states facing similar challenges.

As the situation develops, it will be crucial for the Rajasthan government to take proactive measures to address the underlying issues contributing to maternal mortality in the state. This may include improving access to quality prenatal and postnatal care, enhancing training for healthcare providers, and ensuring that healthcare facilities are adequately equipped to handle obstetric emergencies. The health and safety of mothers and their newborns should be a priority, and addressing these issues is essential for the overall improvement of public health in the region.