The Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a news report titled “10K HIV cases in Bathinda dist since 2019”, which appeared on Wednesday in The Tribune, highlighting the rise in HIV cases in Bathinda district.
The report stated that Bathinda district had recorded 10,100 HIV cases between 2019 and April 2026, according to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The report also noted that 1,358 cases were reported in 2025 and 475 cases till April this year.
A Bench comprising Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash, Member Justice Gurbir Singh and Member Jitender Singh Shunty observed that the matter warranted examination and ordered a report from the Civil Surgeon, Bathinda.
The Commission directed that the report be submitted at least one week before the next date of hearing on August 11.
A copy of the order, along with the news report, has been sent to the Civil Surgeon, Bathinda, for compliance and to the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, for information.
