Rajasthan maternal deaths: Rights group seeks NHRC probe into Kota oxytocin case

A civil rights organisation operating in the healthcare domain has sought the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the case of five maternal deaths in Kota, Rajasthan, following an ET report that found oxytocin injections administered to the women allegedly contained no active ingredient and were effectively only water.

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) has urged the NHRC to register the matter as a human rights case, order an independent probe, and ensure free lifelong medical treatment and rehabilitation for the affected women.

It has also sought NHRC intervention on compensation and accountability.


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As reported by ET on July 5, five young mothers died at Government Medical college, Kota and JK Lon hospital.

“The complaint says laboratory testing by the Rajasthan Drug Control Department found the oxytocin lacked meaningful active content, and alleges violations of manufacturing and quality norms by the drugmaker, including fabrication of records and regulatory failures,” it said.

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The organisation has further cited how families of the surviving women continue to face severe hardship, as reported by ET.