With reference to the powers used by the National Human Rights Commission, India after the April 19, 2026 firecracker factory explosion in Virudhunagar, consider the following statements:\n1. NHRC took suo motu cognizance of the incident based on media reports of the deaths and injuries.\n2. NHRC issued notice to the Government of Tamil Nadu seeking a detailed report on safety compliance, factory licensing and rehabilitation of victims.\nWhich of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation

NHRC's official press release supports statement 1 because it says the Commission took suo motu cognizance of a media report that at least 18 workers had died and six others were injured in an explosion at a private firecracker manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti, Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. The release also explains why NHRC acted: if the report was true, the incident raised serious human-rights issues for the victims. Statement 2 overstates the notice. NHRC did issue notices, but to the Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu, and the Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar, seeking a detailed report within two weeks on the matter, including the injured persons' health status, the investigation and compensation, if any, paid to the next of kin and injured persons.

Why the other options are wrong

• (B) It accepts statement 2 alone, but the official release does not say NHRC sought details on safety compliance, factory licensing or rehabilitation of victims.
• (C) It rejects statement 1 even though the NHRC release expressly says the Commission took suo motu cognizance of the media report on deaths and injuries.
• (D) It treats both statements as correct, but statement 2 adds subjects that are absent from the NHRC notice described in the release.

Concept

This tests the working powers of statutory rights bodies, especially NHRC's use of suo motu cognizance and notices after reported rights violations. RAS asks such questions because governance topics often turn on the exact authority used and the exact content of official notices.

Source

• National Human Rights Commission, India

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