NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of 16 people due to consumption of adulterated milk in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh since mid-February
Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 26th March 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of 16 people due to consumption of adulterated milk in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh since mid-February

Notices issued to State Chief Secretary and DGP, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The report to include the status of health, investigation as well as compensation if any, paid to the NoK of the deceased

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance 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.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violation of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the status of health, investigation as well as compensation if any, paid to the next of kin of the deceased.

According to the media report, carried on 23rd March 2026, the cases of people falling ill came to notice during mid-February 2026 when the residents began experiencing severe health complications such as abdominal pain, vomiting, anuria and acute renal dysfunction. Most of the victims were either elderly persons or young children.

DR. ANTHONY RAJU

Advocate, Supreme Court of India | Top Criminal Lawyer | Human Rights Defender | Global Peace Ambassador

Dr. Anthony Raju is a highly regarded Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, internationally recognized Human Rights Defender, and a leading expert in complex criminal litigation, constitutional matters, and investigation agency cases. With decades of experience in high-stakes litigation, he is widely known for handling POCSO cases, dowry death cases, bail matters, CBI, ED, NIA, and PMLA cases across India.

He is the Founder and Global Chairman of the All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties & Social Justice (AICHLS) and Managing Partner of Legal & Legal Associates, an international law firm providing legal services across India.

Core Roles & Leadership

Supreme Court Advocate
Dr. Anthony Raju practices at the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts, specializing in criminal trials, bail, anticipatory bail, quashing of FIR, writ petitions, constitutional remedies, and complex criminal litigation.

Human Rights Leader
He is the Founder & Global Chairman of All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties & Social Justice (AICHLS), working for legal aid, human rights protection, and social justice for underprivileged communities.

Global Peace Ambassador
Dr. Raju is an internationally recognized Global Peace Ambassador and has spoken at international forums on peace, justice, legal reforms, and human rights protection.

Managing Partner – Legal & Legal Associates
He leads Legal & Legal Associates, a premier law firm handling criminal, civil, corporate, tax, tribunal, and investigation agency matters across India.

Specialized Legal Expertise

Dr. Anthony Raju is known for his “victim-sensitive yet rights-consistent defence strategy”, ensuring due process of law and prevention of false implication.

Key Practice Areas:

POCSO Act Cases (Child Protection & False POCSO Defence)
Dowry Death Cases (Section 304B IPC)
Cruelty Cases (Section 498A IPC)
Murder & Attempt to Murder Cases
Rape & Sexual Assault Cases
Bail & Anticipatory Bail Matters
Quashing of FIR (CrPC 482 / BNSS)
CBI Cases
Enforcement Directorate (ED) Cases
PMLA Matters
NIA Cases
Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT)
Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Supreme Court & High Court Litigation

Achievements & Humanitarian Work

Dr. Anthony Raju’s life journey reflects commitment, struggle, and dedication to justice. Born in Meerut, he supported his family by selling newspapers while studying, which shaped his mission to fight for the poor, voiceless, and underprivileged.

Awards & Recognitions:

Global Humanitarian Award for Peace & Justice
Bhartiya Manava Adhikar Samman
Honorary Doctorate in Sociology
Honorary Doctorate in Human Rights
International Peace & Human Rights Awards
Legal Aid & Social Work:

He provides free legal aid to:

Daily wage workers
Economically weaker sections
Women and children
False criminal cases victims
Human rights violation victims

Dr Anthony Raju Advocate Supreme Court
Top Criminal Lawyer in India
POCSO Lawyer in Delhi India
CBI ED Lawyer India
Best Bail Lawyer Supreme Court
Human Rights Lawyer India
Dowry Death Case Lawyer
498A Defence Lawyer
Quashing FIR Lawyer India
Supreme Court Criminal Lawyer India
Global Human Rights Lawyer
Legal and Legal Associates Law Firm India

Dr. Anthony Raju is a Supreme Court Advocate, top criminal lawyer in India, and international human rights defender specializing in POCSO, dowry death, bail, CBI, ED, and constitutional matters. He is the Founder & Global Chairman of the All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties & Social Justice and Managing Partner of Legal & Legal Associates.

Dr Anthony Raju | Advocate Supreme Court | Top Criminal Lawyer for POCSO, Dowry Death, Bail, CBI, ED & Human Rights Cases in India

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