Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Human Rights Commission acting chairperson P. Mohana Das has said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's criticism of the commission overstepping its powers in the Varappuzha custodial death might be from his ignorance of laws.
"The commission has powers to interfere in the Varappuzha custodial death case. The chief minister may consult the advocate general to know about the powers of the Human Rights Commission," he told reporters here on Wednesday.
"I did not criticise the government but only pointed out the lapses on the part of officials. I had quit politics and joined judiciary as I felt judiciary was much better than politics. I do not have any affinity towards any political party."
Mr Das was reacting to the harsh criticism of Mr Vijayan on Tuesday that the commission only needed to do its job.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also said he might quit and take up politics. Mr Das said that there were serious human rights violations in the Varapuzha case and hence the commission was bound to act.
It used to get a series of petitions regarding human rights violations by the police. He also said that he did not interfere in police postings, but only pointed out the irony of giving the responsibility of police training to former Ernakulam rural SP A.V. George who faced serious allegations.
