Establishment of Human RightsCommission/Lokayukta/Lokpal

Vijyender Sharma

Shimla-----

The High Court of H.P. posted the matter regarding establishment of Human Rights Commission/Lokayukta/Lokpal and Human Rights Court in the State of H.P., in the first week of March, 2020, after observing that the State Government has initiated steps regarding constitution of Human Rights Commission by issuing letter to the Registrar Generals of various High Courts, inviting applications for the appointment of Chairperson and Members of Human Rights Commission and  advertisement has also been published in the newspapers in this regard. 

A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice L.Narayana Swamy and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, passed these orders on a petition filed by one Namita Maniktala, praying to direct the State to constitute the State Human Rights Commission and make it functional by making appointment of the Chairpersons and Members in accordance with the Section 21 of Protection of Human Rights Act. She has also prayed to direct the State to initiate appropriate action under Section 30 of Protection of Human Rights Act for constitution of Human Rights Courts within the State and to fill up the future vacancies in State Human Rights Commission not later than 3 months from the date such vacancy occurs.

In its earlier orders, the High Court of Himachal Pradesh had directed the State to file reply clarifying its stand qua establishment of Human Rights Commission/Lokayukta/Lokpal and also Human Rights Court in the State of H.P.

In compliance to the said orders, the Advocate General placed on record, the aforesaid copy of letter and advertisement issued by the State  and sought time to place on record the instructions regarding the appointment of Lokayukta.