NHRC, India i. The Commission received an complaint on 21.09.2018 along with a newspaper clipping allegingdeath of a 23-year-old woman named Sukri Dalpati and her new born male child during delivery, in Malkangiri, Odisha, due to lack of ambulances. The complainant also stated that if the ambulance had arrived on time, two precious lives could have been saved. ii. In accordance with the Commissions directions dated 22.10.2018, a report dated 16.03.2020 was received from the Collector and District Magistrate, stating that a thorough enquiry was conducted by the C.D.M.; P.H.O, Malkangiri, with the help of ADPHO (TB), and District Social Welfare Officer. The inquiry revealed that the deceased pregnant mother aged 23 years was brought by an ambulance and admitted at Mathli C.H.C for delivery. The victim was admitted in hospital at the eleventhhour and there was a possibility of delivery of child anytime. Since the woman was about to deliver, an O & G specialist took up the case for delivery on humanitarian ground, despite being less experienced about this kind of situation. iii. It had been further submitted in the report that the victim had given birth to a stillborn baby and after delivery, her health was checked by a doctor, who sensing the seriousness of the situation, referred her immediately to DHH, Malkangiri. Unfortunately, the woman lost her life on the same day. The victim could have saved her life if adequate precaution was taken by the field staff of Medical and ICDS in time during her pregnancy. It had been further submitted in the report that action had already been taken against three erring staff for such lapses and their salary was held up for three to four months. iv. The Commission examined the matter on 25.08.2020 and was of the opinion that that the victim suffered and died due to lackadaisical attitude of the staff and officials of the State Government, who were supposed to carry out their duties. In fact, the inquiry report had also suggested and castigated their faults in carrying out their duties. The inquiry found some staff wanting in discharge of their duties. The victim lost her life due to apathy shown by the apparatus of State Government, and hence, the Commission issued a show cause notice to the State of Odisha through its Chief Secretary as to why compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/should not be awarded to the next of kin of the deceased. v. In response, the State authority informed that adequate treatment was given to the victim and cause of death was severe anemia with HB 3.8 and hypertension and requested the Commission not to recommend payment of Rs. 2,00,000/- to the next of kin of deceased victim. vi. The Commission was of the opinion that the victim could have been saved if adequate precaution was taken up by the field staff of Medical and ICDS in time, during her pregnancy, which was a serious violation of the rights of the victim and her right to medical care. Hence, the Commission confirmed its recommendation of monetary relief on 12.04.2021. vii. The Jt. Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha, vide communication dated 26.10.2021, submitted that compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- was paid on 18.09.2021 to the husband of deceased Sukri Dalpati. The Commission closed the case on 27.12.2021. ANNUAL REPORT 72 2021-22