Child dies while taking shelter from rain
According to the complaint, on 31 August 2025, Abhishek Verma, son of Ram Prakash Verma, was with other children when sudden rain and thunderstorm began. The children reportedly took shelter under a tree to protect themselves from the rain.
Lightning subsequently struck the tree. Abhishek, aged only 12, died at the spot, while the other children reportedly survived. The incident occurred in Munimpur Kala village, Khairi Ghat Police Station area, Uttar Pradesh, at around noon. The contemporary news report published by Vayam Bharat on 31 August 2025 also described the incident and reported that police and a revenue official reached the location following the incident.
Vayam Bharat report on the incident
Complaint submitted before the NHRC
On 1 September 2025, I submitted a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission requesting that the matter be taken up for an impartial inquiry and that appropriate justice and compensation be ensured for the victim's family.
The NHRC's online diary records the complaint as:
- Diary No.: 21161/IN/2025
- Complaint Document ID: 3931590
- Complainant: Lenin Raghuvanshi
- Victim: Abhishek Verma
- Age: 12 years
- Date of incident: 31 August 2025
- Category recorded: Death due to electrocution
- Place: Munimpur Kala, Uttar Pradesh
The complaint specifically drew the Commission's attention to the published report and requested an impartial investigation so that the victim's family could receive justice and compensation.
NHRC takes cognizance and calls for ATR
On 8 May 2026, the NHRC considered the complaint and directed that an Action Taken Report (ATR) be obtained from the Superintendent of Police.
The Commission's communication states that it had received the complaint alleging that Abhishek Verma died after lightning struck the tree under which he had taken shelter during sudden rainfall. The Commission directed its Registry to transmit the complaint to the Superintendent of Police, Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, and called for an Action Taken Report within two weeks.
The NHRC communication was issued by Sparsh Agarwal, Deputy Registrar (Law), M-3 Section, and was addressed to the Superintendent of Police, Bahraich, with a copy to the complainant.
Why an ATR matters
An Action Taken Report provides an important institutional mechanism for determining what steps were actually taken by the authorities following a serious incident.
In a case involving the death of a child, the response should not be limited to recording the death. It is important to establish, as applicable:
- whether the circumstances of the death were properly investigated;
- whether the family received the relief or compensation available under applicable government schemes;
- whether the incident was properly recorded and documented;
- whether the authorities examined preventive and disaster-safety aspects;
- whether the family was informed about available relief mechanisms; and
- whether any further preventive measures are required to protect children and communities during lightning and severe weather events.
Human rights and the protection of vulnerable families
The death of a child during a natural hazard raises broader questions about the protection of vulnerable communities and access to state relief mechanisms.
For families who lose a child, compensation cannot undo the loss. However, timely relief, transparent investigation, institutional accountability and preventive measures are important components of a rights-based response.
The NHRC's intervention therefore provides an opportunity for the authorities to place on record the steps taken following Abhishek's death and the assistance provided to his family.
Continuing follow-up
The NHRC has asked the concerned police authority to submit its Action Taken Report through the HRCNet Portal within the prescribed period. The Commission's communication specifically states that reports from public authorities should be submitted through the HRCNet system rather than merely by email.
The case demonstrates the importance of documenting incidents affecting vulnerable families and using statutory human-rights mechanisms to seek accountability, relief and preventive action.
The loss of a 12-year-old child should not become merely another entry in a record of accidents. Every such death should prompt an examination of whether adequate protection, information, relief and preventive measures were available to the family and community.
Case Reference
Note: The NHRC online diary document records the district as Lakhimpur Kheri, while the NHRC ATR communication identifies the matter as concerning Bahraich. The present article retains these records as documented rather than independently reconciling the administrative-location discrepancy. The underlying complaint identifies Munimpur Kala and Khairi Ghat Police Station.
Date: Fri, May 8, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -19773/24/9/2025
To: <spbrh-up@nic.in>, <pvchr.adv@gmail.com>
 |
| 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.- 19773/24/9/2025 |
| Date : 08/05/2026 |
| To, |
| THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE SP Office , Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh BAHRAICH UTTAR PRADESH 271801 Email- spbrh-up@nic.in |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -19773/24/9/2025. |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| The complaint/ intimation dated 01/09/2025, was placed before the Commission on 08/05/2026. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows: |
| The Commission has received a complaint dated 1.9.2025 from Shri Lenin Raghuvanshi alleging that on 31 August 2025 around 12 PM, a 12-year-old Abhishek Verma, S/o Ram Prakash Verma, resident of Munimpur Kala village, PS Khairighat, District Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, died tragically due to a lightning strike while sheltering under a tree during sudden rainfall. Despite immediate police response, the incident highlights the need for preventive safety measures and compensation for the victim’s family. |
| 2. Accordingly, I am forwarding herewith a copy of the complaint/ intimation as an attachment for taking appropriate action in the matter as per the directions of the Commission. It is requested that an Action Taken Report be sent to the Commission within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of this letter. |
| 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 |
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