Haveri, 31 August

Two patients who had come to the government hospital in Haveri district for treatment were allegedly made to clean a sewage pit filled with human waste, triggering outrage after videos of the incident surfaced on social media.

The incident reportedly took place on 28 August at the Savanur Taluk Hospital. The two men, from Hulagur village in Shiggaon taluk, had approached the hospital for treatment after contacting nursing supervisor Vanitha, their acquaintance who works at the facility.

The incident has prompted action, with suspension orders served on two officers and a police case registered against the hospital’s administrative officer, Dr Shankar Gowda Hiregowda, and Vanitha.

According to allegations, she asked them to check why water was stagnating in a hospital toilet.

Dr Hiregowda allegedly then asked the patients to clean the sewage pit, assuring them that they would receive better treatment if they did the work.

The patients reportedly opened the pit, found it filled with human waste and, using buckets provided by the hospital, began removing the waste and carrying it outside.

The incident came to light after residents of nearby houses noticed a foul smell and entered the hospital premises. The residents intervened and confronted hospital staff, following which a municipal vehicle was called and the pit was mechanically cleaned.

Speaking to Salar News, Haveri District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr Nagaraj said the sewage pit had been overflowing. He said Dr Hiregowda had written to the municipal authorities on 27 August requesting that it be cleaned, but there was no response.

“Serious action will be taken if they are found guilty after the investigation,” Dr Nagaraj said.

The FIR registered at Savanur police station invokes Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 5, 7, 8 and 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

Videos of the patients carrying human waste have triggered widespread outrage, with residents condemning the incident as a violation of human dignity.