Delhi HC bench led by Chief Justice Rajendra Menon on Tuesday issued notice to Delhi Govt on a Plea Seeking directions to establish the office of the Delhi State Human Rights Commission under the provision of section 21 (1) of The Protection of Human Rights Act 1993.

The PIL which came before the bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani sought establishment of Delhi State Human Rights Commission (DSHRC) and necessary appointments for the same.

Financial economist and social activist Abhijit Mishra has knocked the doors of HC bringing to the fore the Delhi Govt’s lapse in complying with the provisions of The Protection of Human Rights Act 1993.

The PIL points out that despite several human rights complaints on caste-based discrimination and violence, torture and other ill-treatment faced by individuals in different walks of life, the Delhi government has not taken heed of the 26-year-old legislation which provides under Section 21(1): “A State Government may constitute a body to be known as the…….(name of the State) Human Rights Commission to exercise the powers conferred upon, and to perform the functions assigned to, a State Commission under this Chapter.”

The text of the law does not bind the government and thus even after so many years, there has been no effort by authorities to establish DSHRC; further there is no other competent body to investigate into human rights violations that relate to State or the Concurrent List.

—India Legal Bureau