The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh over reported deaths of 53 expecting mothers during pre and post-delivery in the Sidhi district of the state in one year. Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report the commission has sought a detailed report in the matter within two weeks.

The Commission has observed that if the contents of the news report is true, then it raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. According to the media report, out of the 53 maternal deaths, the average age of the deceased has been reported to be 26 years, with most of them first or second-time mothers.