NHRC Closes 31 Rights Cases in Telangana
The NHRC met NGOs, activists and civil society groups to seek suggestions on improving protection for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled, orphans and the underprivileged.
Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) closed 31 cases during a two-day open hearing held in Hyderabad on July 28 and 29. Of these, 29 were disposed of after hearings, while two were closed following the submission of compliance and compensation payment proofs.
The two-day session saw the hearing of 109 cases. These included deaths in fire incidents and a tiger attack, trafficking of tribal women, forcible eviction of tribal families, denial of basic amenities, crimes against women including rape, crimes against children, police excesses, suicides and food poisoning in gurukul schools.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, NHRC chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian said the commission no longer closed cases upon merely recommending compensation. “Now we are keeping them open until we receive proof of compliance and payment,” he explained.
The full commission took up 19 cases. In nine of them, the commission had recommended a compensation of Rs.49.65 lakh. Of this, Rs.22.50 lakh had been paid. The government has assured payment of the remaining Rs.27.15 lakh and submission of proof.
Justice Ramasubramanian highlighted a steady rise in suo motu cases, with 17 initiated in 2021, 60 in 2022, 117 in 2023, 105 in 2024 and over 50 cases have been taken up so far this year. He attributed the increase to stronger media monitoring by the commission. Nationwide, 34,685 cases are pending before the NHRC. Telangana accounted for 780 of these. “Of these, four are police custodial cases and 30 are judicial custodial cases,” the chairperson said.
He cited the example of a juvenile arrested and produced before a regular court, who was held in jail for 40 days. “Regardless of the prosecution’s outcome, detaining a juvenile in jail for 40 days is unacceptable. We awarded compensation to the family,” he said.
The commission also interacted with senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, DGP, and department secretaries, to review issues affecting women, children, farmers, Scheduled Castes and hostel students. Officials were asked to submit status reports on earlier advisories. Dr Justice Shameem Akther, chairperson of the Telangana State Human Rights Commission, participated.
The NHRC met NGOs, activists and civil society groups to seek suggestions on improving protection for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled, orphans and the underprivileged. NHRC Members Dr Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi and Vijaya Bharathi Sayani also participated in the hearings.
Major Cases Reviewed
Khammam caste harassment case
Police took action to stop caste-based discrimination and the social boycott of a family by villagers.
Food poisoning in gurukul schools
Involving 48 student deaths and 886 food poisoning cases, the commission directed secretaries of all five furukul societies to submit reports within four weeks.
Wrongful arrest and police lathi charge
Government directed to submit documents.
Rocket propellant unit blast
Of the four deaths, Rs.50 lakh compensation has been paid to three families. The commission ordered payment to the fourth family.
Dog menace complaint
Raised by a Class 5 student. The commission instructed officials to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) to address the issue.
Tribal women trafficking case
Several trafficked women were rescued and the erring constable was dismissed from service.
