New Delhi, March 26 -- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of a media report detailing the deaths of 285 inmates in different jails across Chhattisgarh over the past four years.

The NHRC raised serious concerns about living conditions, healthcare and human rights violations inside the state's prison system.

According to a press release issued by the NHRC, the highest number of inmate deaths was reported in 2022, when 90 deaths were recorded. Between January 1, 2025, and January 31 this year, as many as 66 inmates have reportedly died.

The Chhattisgarh government in the legislative assembly had earlier cited causes such as suicide and chronic ailments behind these deaths.

The NHRC based its ...