Haryana Rights Commission Criticizes Rohtak Report on Fatal Basketball Pole Collapse
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the report submitted by the Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak regarding a tragic incident at a sports nursery in Lakhan Majra village. The incident involved the collapse of a basketball pole, which resulted in the death of Hardik, a promising national-level minor player.
Commission Orders High-Powered Inquiry Committee
While disposing of the case, Commission Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra issued significant directions and recommendations in the larger public interest. These included a directive to the Principal Secretary of the Haryana Government's Sports Department in Chandigarh to constitute a high-powered inquiry committee.
The committee is tasked with determining the precise cause of the incident and fixing responsibility on concerned officials, engineers, or contractors.
Grave Violation of Human Rights Observed
In its order, the commission observed that, based on the facts presented, the incident prima facie disclosed a grave violation of human rights. This particularly concerns the right to life, safety, and dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
The commission noted that in compliance with its order dated December 18, 2025, a report was submitted by the Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak. However, the report lacks substantive details regarding the actual cause of the incident, adherence to safety standards, or compensation to the bereaved family. It merely references the sanction of ₹17,80,294 from the MPLADS portal for constructing a basketball stadium.
Additionally, the commission pointed out that although an inquiry committee was constituted on November 26, 2025, its detailed report has not yet been submitted.
Lack of Safety Mechanisms Highlighted
The commission maintained that there appears to be no clear mechanism in place for safety inspections of sports equipment and infrastructure, periodic structural stability assessments, or a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for compensation.
In his latest order, Chairperson Batra observed that the State of Haryana is consistently at the forefront of sporting excellence and invests substantial public funds in developing sports infrastructure. The commission categorically held that if the basketball pole was rusted and in a hazardous condition, and if, despite repeated warnings, it was neither repaired nor replaced, such inaction would amount to gross negligence and dereliction of statutory duty by the concerned officials.
Key Recommendations and Future Steps
The commission's recommendations aim to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Key points include:
- Establishing a robust system for regular safety audits of all sports facilities.
- Implementing mandatory structural stability assessments for sports equipment.
- Developing a clear SOP for timely compensation to victims' families in such incidents.
- Ensuring accountability through the high-powered inquiry committee's findings.
This case underscores the critical need for enhanced safety protocols in sports infrastructure across Haryana, balancing the state's investment in sports with the fundamental rights of its athletes.
