MigrantWorkerCase – NHRC Pulls Up Tamil Nadu Over Missing Victim
MigrantWorkerCase – The National Human Rights Commission has sharply questioned the Tamil Nadu government’s handling of a violent assault on a migrant worker from Odisha, raising concerns over procedural lapses and the unexplained disappearance of the injured man from a government hospital.
The Commission has sent a formal notice to the state’s Chief Secretary, seeking an explanation after the victim, who had suffered serious injuries, reportedly left the hospital and has not been traced since. Authorities, according to the response submitted to the Commission, currently have no information about his whereabouts.
Delay in FIR and Hospital Disappearance Raise Concerns
The incident dates back to December 27 last year, when a 20-year-old migrant worker, identified as K. Suraj from Odisha, was attacked near the Tiruttani railway station in Tiruvallur district. He was allegedly assaulted with a sickle by four 17-year-old boys said to be under the influence of drugs. The attack left him critically injured and sparked widespread anger after details surfaced online.
Although the victim’s statement was reportedly recorded on the same day as the assault, the First Information Report was registered only on December 28. A member of the National Human Rights Commission described the delay as troubling, noting that the FIR appeared to have been filed only after the matter gained traction on social media platforms.
Adding to the concern is the victim’s disappearance from the hospital shortly after he was admitted for treatment. In its reply to the Commission, the state government stated that the injured man left the hospital on his own while still undergoing treatment. However, there has been no clarity on what steps were taken to locate him afterward.
Commission Questions Administrative Response
The Commission has termed the sequence of events deeply worrying, pointing out that the administration did not provide details of any immediate search efforts to trace the missing man or to contact his family in Odisha. The absence of follow-up action, it observed, reflects serious gaps in governance and coordination between departments.
A member of the Commission publicly criticised the state’s response, describing the situation as a stark example of administrative failure. He noted that once the victim went missing, authorities should have initiated urgent efforts to locate him and ensure continued medical care.
The Commission has now directed the Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report addressing several key issues. These include steps taken to trace the injured worker, arrangements made for his medical treatment, and reasons why financial compensation of Rs 2 lakh should not be granted to the victim. It has also sought clarification on whether any disciplinary action has been initiated against officials for alleged negligence in handling the case.
Wider Concerns Over Migrant Worker Safety
The case has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of migrant workers and the need for timely intervention by law enforcement agencies. Civil society groups have repeatedly highlighted that delays in registering complaints and weak follow-up measures can undermine trust in public institutions.
While the state government has yet to issue a detailed public statement beyond its submission to the Commission, the matter remains under scrutiny. The National Human Rights Commission is expected to review the forthcoming report before deciding on further action.
As the search for the missing worker continues, questions remain over how an injured assault victim could leave a medical facility without immediate tracking and support. The outcome of the Commission’s inquiry is likely to shape the next steps in ensuring accountability and safeguarding the rights of migrant workers across states.