The Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report highlighting the alleged negligence that led to a woman remaining locked inside an Ayushman Arogya Kendra in Malout for nearly 18 hours.The Commission, comprising Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash, Member Justice Gurbir Singh and Member Jitender Singh Shunty, has directed the Civil Surgeon, Muktsar, to submit a detailed report at least one week before the next hearing on Sept. 25.The Commission acted on a report published in ‘The Tribune’ on Thursday, titled “Woman remains locked in health centre for 18 hours, probe ordered”.According to the report, Krishna Rani, a domestic help and resident of Ward 10 in Malout, had visited the health centre on Tuesday to collect medicines. While she was inside the washroom, the staff allegedly locked the facility and left at around 2 p.m. without ensuring that no one remained inside.Her family searched for her throughout the night and informed the police. She was found the following morning when the health centre reopened, after remaining confined inside the washroom for nearly 18 hours.Dr Rajinder Kumar, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at Malout Civil Hospital, confirmed the incident on Wednesday and said a written explanation had been sought from the staff of the Ayushman Arogya Kendra. He added that the woman was brought to the civil hospital for a medical examination.