The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken 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. He was declared dead at AIIMS, New Delhi when brought from the centre for treatment on 19th August, 2025. 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 17th August, 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.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. 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 19th August, 2025, the man was alcoholic and was brought to a De-addiction centre in NOIDA, Gautam Budh Nagar on 17th August 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 and he was taken 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.

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NSK