National Human Rights Commission: On 04-11-2025, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India took suo motu cognizance of a media report dated 30-10- 2025 that highlighted corruption, bureaucracy and inhumanity as while mourning the death of his only daughter, a grieving father was forced to pay bribes at every step, including an ambulance driver, police, crematorium staff and civic officials in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
As per the media report, an IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad graduate woman working in Bengaluru, suffered a brain haemorrhage on 18-09-2025. When the father called an ambulance after the death of his daughter, the ambulance driver apparently over-charged for the services. When he reported his daughter’s death to the police, they not only displayed a lack of empathy but gave copies of the FIR and post-mortem report only after a bribe was paid. There was also a considerable delay in issuing a death certificate from Mahadevapura Municipal authorities. Despite intervention by a senior officer, the certificate was issued only after the father paid a bribe. Money was again demanded at the crematorium, which the father paid.
Taking note of the allegations, the NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Karnataka, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.