The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the deaths of five infants in a fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad on Tuesday (September 21, 2026) and sought a detailed report from the State government.
The Commission, headed by Chairperson Justice Shameem Akther, also took note of reports raising concerns over the maintenance and safety arrangements at the SNCU, including the condition of air-conditioning and electrical installations, fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment and emergency evacuation arrangements.
The TGHRC said it considered it necessary to ascertain the facts and circumstances that led to the fire and the subsequent deaths of the infants, besides examining the safety measures in place at the unit.
It has directed the Principal Secretary to the State Medical and Health Department to submit a detailed report covering the circumstances leading to the fire, safety and maintenance arrangements at the SNCU, measures taken to rescue and treat the affected infants, and the findings of any inquiry conducted into the incident.
