The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a reminder to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Jharkhand regarding the payment of compensation to the family of a deceased protester in the Bokaro protest incident of April 2025.
According to official communication dated 10 February 2026 (Case No. 245/34/1/2025), the Commission has sought additional information and proof of compensation payment, directing the state authorities to submit the report by 06 March 2026.
Background of the Case
The matter originates from a complaint filed on 4 April 2025 by Lenin Raghuvanshi of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The complaint highlighted a tragic incident during a protest in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand, where displaced persons were demonstrating for employment opportunities on 3 April 2025.
As per the complaint, the protest turned violent when security personnel deployed at Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge. The incident resulted in the death of 26-year-old Prem Mahato and injuries to several women.
Inquiry and Findings
Taking cognizance of the complaint, the NHRC directed the District Magistrate-cum-Collector of Bokaro to conduct an inquiry. A report submitted on 2 August 2025 by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Chas, stated that the protest had been organized without official permission after authorities rejected an application citing potential law and order concerns.
The report indicated that clashes occurred between protesters and CISF personnel, during which Prem Mahato was struck by a stick, leading to his death. The incident triggered widespread protests and temporary prohibitory orders in the Bokaro region.
NHRC’s Direction for Compensation
After reviewing the inquiry report, the Commission considered the death of the young protester during a demonstration seeking employment a serious matter and directed the Government of Jharkhand to provide monetary compensation of ₹5,00,000 to the next of kin of the deceased. The state government was also instructed to submit proof of payment within two weeks.
However, the Commission noted that no report confirming the payment of compensation has been received to date. Consequently, the NHRC has issued a reminder to the Chief Secretary, warning that failure to comply may lead to coercive action under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Next Steps
The NHRC has requested that the complete report and proof of compensation be submitted through the HRCNet Portal within the stipulated deadline. The Commission will review the matter further upon receipt of the report.
This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding accountability, use of force during public protests, and the rights of displaced communities seeking employment and justice.
—
For updates on human rights cases and NHRC proceedings, stay connected.
 |
|
|
| NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
| MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023 |
| Fax No.: 011-24651332 Website: www.nhrc.nic.in |
|
| (Law Division) |
|
| Case No.- 245/34/1/2025 |
| To, |
THE CHIEF SECRETARY
Government of Jharkhand, 1st Floor, Project Building, Dhurwa,
JHARKHAND JHARKHAND
834004
Email- cs-jharkhand@nic.in
|
|
| |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI
SA 4/2A DAULATPUR, VARANASI
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
221002
Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331 |
| |
| Subject: Additional Information Called for(AIC) Dated 09/09/2025 - Reminder (Case No. - 245/34/1/2025). |
| |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| |
| I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 10/02/2026 and the Commission has directed as follows.: |
| 1. The Commission received a complaint dated:04-04-2025, from Sh. Lenin Raghuvanshi, R/o. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh informing a tragic incident during the ongoing protest in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand, wherein the displaced people were demonstrating for employment on 03-04-2025. It was further stated that the protest turned violent, when the security forces deployed at Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) and CISF resorted to a lathi-charge on the protesters and this led to the death of 26-year-old Prem Mahato and injuries to several women.
2. The Commission took the cognizance and directed the District Magistrate-cum-Collector, Bokaro, Jharkhand to make an inquiry and submit the report.
3. The Commission received a report dated:02-08-2025, from Sub-Divisional Officer, Chas, whereby it was stated that, an application was submitted by the Displaced Apprentices Union on 01-04-2025 for permission to hold a dharna on 03-04-2025 regarding employment in Bokaro Steel Plant. Keeping in mind the possible law and order problem at the site, the application was rejected and information regarding this was also given to the applicants, as well as the concerned Police Station and City DSP etc. Despite this, on 03-04-2025, a dharna demonstration was organized by the Displaced Apprentices Union without permission. During the dharna, the Zonal Officer, the local police station officials and the CISF personnel deployed for security tried to convince the protesters to protest peacefully, but the protesters did not calm down. The protesters started clashing with the CISF personnel at 9 am and the movement of the common people was blocked there. In the evening, sticks were thrown between the displaced apprentices union and the CISF personnel. In this sequence, a person (Prem Kumar Mahato) was hit by a stick, due to which he fell unconscious on the ground immediately. He was taken to Bokaro General Hospital by the BSL management in an ambulance for treatment, where he was declared dead. Thereafter, the entire Bokaro was closed on 04-04-2025 by the angry protesters regarding the above matter. All the roads were blocked. It was further stated that, in view of the deteriorating law and order situation and sensitivity, prohibitory orders were imposed in the entire Bokaro area on 04-04-2025 at 9:00 pm under Section-163 of the IPC and when situation became completely normal from afternoon to 9:00 pm on 05-04-2025, the prohibitory order was withdrawn at 9:30 pm on 05-04-2025.
4. The Commission vide its last proceeding dated:09-09-2025 directed the Government of Jharkhand, through its Chief Secretary, to provide the monetary compensation of Rs.05,00,000/- to the NoK’s of the deceased and transmit the proof of the payment so made, to the Commission.
5. Till date, no report has been submitted qua the compensation granted to the victims of NoK’s. The Registry is directed to issue Reminder to the Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand, for the submission of the proof of the payment made to the to the victims of NoK’s to the Commission within 02 (two) weeks positively, failing which the Commission shall be constrained to invoke coercive steps u/s 13 of PHR Act-1993.
|
| |
|
| 2. It is therefore, requested that the additional/ complete report as directed by the Commission in the matter be sent latest by 06/03/2026, for futher consideration by the Commission. |
| |
| 3. Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained |
Your’s faithfully
Sd/-
L. M. Pathak
CONSULTANT (LAW), M-3
M-3 Section
Ph. No. 011-24663299 |
| CC to |
|
L. M. Pathak
CONSULTANT (LAW), M-3
M-3 Section
Ph. No. 011-24663299 |
**********************************Previous Proceeding(s)*****************************************************
Case No.: 245/34/1/2025
Action Name: Additional Information Called for(AIC)
Action Date: 09/09/2025
Action Due Date: 03/10/2025
1. The Commission received a complaint dated:04-04-2025, from Sh.Lenin Raghuvanshi, R/o. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh informing a tragic incident during the ongoing protest in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand, wherein the displaced people were demonstrating for employment on 03-04-2025. It was further stated that the protest turned violent, when the security forces deployed at Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) and CISF resorted to a lathi-charge on the protesters and this led to the death of 26-year-old Prem Mahato and injuries to several women.
2. The Commission took the cognizance of the complaint and directed the District Magistrate-cum-Collector, Bokaro, Jharkhand to make an inquiry and submit the report expeditiously within a period of 15 days.
3. The Commission received a report dated:02-08-2025, from Sub-Divisional Officer, Chas, whereby it was stated that, an application was submitted by the Displaced Apprentices Union on 01-04-2025 for permission to hold a dharna on 03-04-2025 regarding employment in Bokaro Steel Plant. Keeping in mind the possible law and order problem at the site, the application was rejected and information regarding this was also given to the applicants, as well as the concerned Police Station and City DSP etc. Despite this, on 03-04-2025, a dharna demonstration was organized by the Displaced Apprentices Union without permission. During the dharna, the Zonal Officer, the local police station officials and the CISF personnel deployed for security tried to convince the protesters to protest peacefully, but the protesters did not calm down. The protesters started clashing with the CISF personnel at 9 am and the movement of the common people was blocked there. In the evening, sticks were thrown between the displaced apprentices union and the CISF personnel. In this sequence, a person (Prem Kumar Mahato) was hit by a stick, due to which he fell unconscious on the ground immediately. He was taken to Bokaro General Hospital by the BSL management in an ambulance for treatment, where he was declared dead. Thereafter, the entire Bokaro was closed on 04-04-2025 by the angry protesters regarding the above matter. All the roads were blocked. It was further stated that, in view of the deteriorating law and order situation and sensitivity, prohibitory orders were imposed in the entire Bokaro area on 04-04-2025 at 9:00 pm under Section-163 of the IPC and when situation became completely normal from afternoon to 9:00 pm on 05-04-2025, the prohibitory order was withdrawn at 9:30 pm on 05-04-2025.
4. The Commission has perused the report dated:02-08-2025, received from the Sub-Divisional Officer, Chas, whereby it was acknowledged that, one protestor had died, because of the injury caused by getting hit by the stick. As there is a death of an unemployed educated youth, caused by getting hit by stick, during the protest seeking employment, the Commission deems it fit case, where a monetary compensation be provided to the NoK’s of the deceased. In view of same, the Commission directs the Government of Jharkhand, through its Chief Secretary, to provide the monetary compensation of Rs.05,00,000/- to the NoK’s of the deceased and transmit the proof of the payment so made, to the Commission within 02 (two) weeks.
5. Put before the Commission on 09-10-2025.
Comments
Post a Comment