Tragic Incident at Lohardaga Hostel: Student Dies of Snakebite; NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance
National: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken *suo motu* cognizance of an incident where a student died and three others were injured due to snakebites at the hostel of a higher secondary residential school in Jharkhand's Lohardaga district. Viewing the incident as a serious violation of students' human rights, the Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of the Jharkhand government.
The incident reportedly occurred on July 7, 2026. According to media reports, four students were sleeping in a room on the ground floor of the hostel after having dinner. During this time, a snake entered the room and bit all four students. They were immediately rushed to the hospital, but one student could not be saved. The other three students are undergoing treatment.
The NHRC stated that if the facts published in media reports are accurate, it raises serious questions regarding the state administration's negligence and the safety arrangements for students. The Commission has directed the Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report within two weeks. The report is required to cover the current health status of the injured students, the cause of the incident, and the measures taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.
According to a media report dated July 10, 2026, one of the injured students was referred to RIMS, Ranchi, for advanced treatment due to her critical condition.
