NHRC notice to UP govt over death due to torture at de-addication centre in Meerut

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), taking suo motu cognizance of a media report that a 38-year-old man died amidst allegations by his family members of torture at a De-addiction centre in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, issued a notice to the state government, observing that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights.

The man was declared dead at AIIMS, New Delhi when brought from the centre for treatment on August 19, 2025.

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Reportedly, he was shifted to this de-addiction centre in Meerut district from another centre in NOIDA, Gautam Buddh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh on August 17, 2025. It is also mentioned in the news report that according to an officer of the District Tobacco Control Cell, not even a single de-addiction centre operating in the Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh is authorised and registered with the authorities.

Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the status of de-addiction centres being run in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

According to the media report, carried on August 19, 2025, the man, who was alcoholic, was brought to a de-addiction centre in NOIDA, Gautam Budh Nagar on August 17, 2025. Within half an hour of his admission there, he was referred to another de-addiction centre at Meerut, where he stayed for two days.

However, when his condition started deteriorating, the management of the de-addiction centre informed his family members before taking him to the AIIMS, New Delhi for medical treatment where the doctors reportedly declared him dead. His family members have alleged that he died due to physical torture at the Meerut De-addiction centre.