Justice V. Ramasubramanian, a retired Supreme Court judge, was appointed as NHRC Chairperson on December 23, 2024. The President also appointed Priyank Kanoongo and retired Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi as the Members of the NHRC-India.
- About Justice V. Ramasubramanian.
- Background:
- Born on June 30, 1958, Justice Ramasubramanian is a noted scholar in Tamil and known for his expertise in writing judgments.
- Served as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court (June 22, 2019) and as a Supreme Court judge (appointed September 23, 2019).
- He succeeds Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, whose term ended on June 1, 2024.
- Background:
Selection Process:
- A high-power committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened on December 18, 2024, to select the new NHRC chairperson.
- According to the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), the President of India appoints the chairperson based on the committee’s recommendation. The position is typically reserved for a former Chief Justice of India or a retired Supreme Court judge.
About NHRC:
- NHRC Establishment: Founded on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, later amended in 2006.
- Previous Chairpersons:
- Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra served as the eighth NHRC Chairperson from June 2021 until June 2024. He was the first non-CJI to hold the position following the 2019 amendment to the PHRA.
NHRC’s Role and Significance:
- The NHRC is tasked with protecting and promoting human rights in India.
- It investigates human rights violations, promotes awareness, and provides recommendations to strengthen human rights protections.
- Its establishment has been pivotal in addressing grievances related to rights violations and reinforcing democratic values.
