The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a media report detailing school students in Kakraua village, Vidisha district, crossing the Betwa River via check dam pillars due to lack of safe transportation. The Commission has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary, demanding a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
On August 7, 2026, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) announced that it has taken cognizance of a media report detailing school students in Kakraua village, Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh, risking their lives by hopping on check dam pillars to cross the Betwa River. This dangerous route cuts the distance from 13 km by road to just 1.5 km.
According to the media report, nine students, including five girls, take this route daily due to a lack of safe transportation options.
The Commission observed that if the news report is true, it raises serious issues of human rights violations. The Right to Education Act of 2009 and Article 21A of the Indian Constitution guarantee free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 years. The Apex Court, in Avinash Mehrotra v. Union of India (2009), held that the Right to Education includes the Right to a safe school and safe infrastructure.
In addition, the media report states that a student failed her final exams after missing school due to her inability to cross the check dam pillars due to her short height. The District Education Officer has visited the spot and informed the District Collector about the issue.
The Commission concluded that the absence of a safe mode of transport for children to reach school amounts to a negation of their fundamental right to education with dignity. As such, it has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
