The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding botched cataract surgeries at a private hospital in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, which allegedly led to the removal of infected eyes of nine patients and vision loss in one eye of nine others.

According to reports, the surgeries were performed on around 30 patients during an eye camp conducted at the private hospital on 1 February 2026. Within 24 hours of the procedures, several patients reportedly began experiencing severe pain and discharge from the operated eye. Subsequently, 18 patients developed serious infections, prompting their referral to hospitals in Delhi, Lucknow and Varanasi as their condition deteriorated.

Taking note of the incident, the Commission observed that the contents of the news report, if found to be true, raise serious concerns regarding violation of the human rights of the affected patients.

Accordingly, the NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur, directing them to submit a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.