estd. 1993
The Protection of Human Right Act 1993 responsible for protection & promotion of rights relating to life, liberty, equality & dignity of individual guaranteed by the constitution or embodied in the intl covenants
Composition
Chairperson : retd. CJI or SC JudgeAppointed on recommendation of 6 member committee
PM (chairperson)
LS Speaker
Deputy Chairman of RS
LoP in both houses
Union Home Minister
Term & Removal
3yr term or 70yr age, whichever earlier
President can remove under specific circumstances
Imp Cases by NHRC
Abuse of legal system in trafficking of girls 2004
NHRC took suo-motu congnizance of complaint by Intl. Law Affiliates regarding trafficking and forced prostitution of poor girls in Nepal & India
NHRC forwarded petition to CJI and an older news article
highlighted collusion b/w pimps, brothel owners and police officials in forcing girls into prostitution
raised serious human rights violation
commission sent the matter to Commissioner of Police, Delhi, requesting inquiry within 4 weeks
Rape of a visually impaired girl at Nadia 2004
NHRC took suo-motu cognizance of a news piece
DGP, Kolkata directed to investigate and submit report in 2 weeks
report detailed allegation of rape of visually impaired 19yr old girl at her home by two miscreants in absence of her parenst
miscreants reported to have political influence and reputation as musclemen
threatened victim to stay silent
committed similar crimes in the past but no complaints filed
victim’s mother eventually filed FIR