NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA Other Important Cases 29. Households of Sewa Singh S/o Khajan Singh of Prem Nagar, Gohana, Sonepat caught fire and the family member suffered burn injuries, when his XOLO mobile set exploded. (Case No. 2761/7/19/2017) i. The Commission, came across a complaint alleging that in the midnight of 25.09. 2017 a XOLO mobile set exploded due to which his households caught fire and the family members of the owner of mobile suffered burn injuries. A number of press clippings reporting therewith incidents of explosion in mobile phones causing fatal injuries and even deaths in some cases were also brought to the notice of the Commission. Since the matter relates to the safety of human life, it implicates the violations of the right to life. The Commission expressed its deep concerns over the issue and emphasized upon the need of a mechanism for quality control of the mobile sets manufactured in India as well as imported ones, to ensure that mobile sets do not pose any hazard to the human life. ii. The Commission directed the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, and the Secretary, Department of Electronics & Information Technology, New Delhi to get these issues looked into, particularly with the following aspects: a. Whether mobile phones (imported/domestic) are covered under the Scheme of Compulsory Registration by the Bureau of Indian Standards? b. What are the consequences if the mobile phones (imported/domestic) are not registered under the Compulsory Registration by the Bureau of Indian Standards? c. Whether there is a forum or Department, where the owner of the mobile can get it verified whether the same is safe for use or not? d. Whether there is a need to create awareness on this issue amongst the consumers and if so the steps taken thereon? iii. In response Under Secretary Ministry of Commerce & Industry Department of Commerce informed the Commission that Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology is a nodal Ministry to frame safety standards of the mobile sets and according to its reply, the Xolo mobile phone was purchased in 2014, and at that time “Electronic and IT Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order 2012” had not come into effect for the mobile phones. At that point of time, it was not mandatory to get the product tested as per Indian Safety Standards and seeks registration from BIS based on safety of the products. The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has notified only the safety standards for the notified products vide their OM No.37 (5)/2018-IPHW dated 21.02.2018. After notification of mobile phones under CRO, M/s Xolo has taken registration for the mobile phones, manufactured domestically or imported. iv. On perusal of the report the Commission got the copy of report sent to the complainant for his comments. The matter is under consideration of the Commission. ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 69