New Delhi, March 26 -- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that in Lalacheruvu, Chowdeshwarannagar and Swarupnagar areas of the East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, 16 people died since mid-February due to consumption of adulterated milk.

At least four persons with similar symptoms were reported to be undergoing medical treatment. Reportedly, the milk was adulterated with a toxic substance identified as ethylene glycol, which caused multi-organ failure. The suspected source of contamination has been traced to a Dairy located in Narsapuram village, which was supplying milk to more than 100 households in the area.

According to the NHRC, the Commission has observed that the conte...