Chandigarh, Feb 22: The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has intervened in the case of a teenage national basketball player who died after a hoop pole collapsed on him last year. Taking serious cognisance of the tragedy in Rohtak, the commission declared that the incident constitutes a grave violation of the right to life and safety guaranteed under the Constitution.
Hardik Rathi, a promising athlete, lost his life in November at a sports nursery in Lakhan Majra when a rusted iron pole fell during a practice session. In a recent order, HHRC Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra asserted that the state must ensure the quality and maintenance of sports infrastructure funded by public resources. The commission noted that previous reports from local authorities failed to address the cause of the collapse or provide details regarding compensation for the bereaved family.
To address these lapses, the commission directed the Principal Secretary of the Sports Department to form a high-powered inquiry committee. This panel, headed by a senior IAS officer, is tasked with fixing responsibility on negligent officials or contractors and examining whether safety protocols were ignored. Justice Batra stated that if warnings regarding the equipment’s condition were overlooked, it would amount to gross negligence on the part of the state.
The HHRC further maintained that a state-wide audit of all government-run sports facilities is now mandatory to prevent similar tragedies. The commission affirmed that a formal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) must be established to ensure structural certifications and immediate relief for athletes injured at state-funded sites. A detailed report is expected before the next hearing scheduled for May 19.
