Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Responses on State Human Rights Commission Vacancies
The Supreme Court has asked the central government, the National Human Rights Commission and all state governments to respond to a petition about State Human Rights Commissions.
The petition says some commissions have vacant jobs or do not have enough staff.
It describes the commissions in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand as defunct.
It also says some other commissions have relied on acting chairpersons for a long time.
The group that filed the petition wants states to fill leadership and member positions within a set time.
It also wants the commissions to have enough staff and resources to do their work.
The petition asks that complaints not be sent to commissions that lack functioning leadership and members.
It seeks public information and regular updates to the court.
The articles report that the court issued notices, not that it made a final ruling.
The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the NHRC and all state governments on a PIL alleging vacancies and staffing problems at State Human Rights Commissions.
The petition, filed by the Association of Retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts of India on September 21, seeks time-bound appointments of commission chairpersons and members.
The petitioner alleges commissions in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand are defunct, and says Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya have had prolonged acting-chairperson arrangements.
The petition seeks adequate administrative, investigative and technical resources, and asks that complaints not be transferred to commissions without functioning leadership and members.
It also seeks details of cases transferred to the three allegedly defunct commissions, periodic compliance reports, updated websites and publication of annual reports.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Centre, the NHRC, state governments and the Association of Retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts of India.
- What
- The Supreme Court issued notices on a PIL seeking action on alleged vacancies and functioning problems at State Human Rights Commissions.
- When
- The notices were issued on Monday; the petition was filed on September 21. The articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- The matter is before the Supreme Court in New Delhi and concerns State Human Rights Commissions across India.
- Why
- The petition alleges that some commissions are defunct, understaffed or have vacant leadership posts, and seeks appointments, resources and reporting measures.
Petitioner's allegations and requests
Respondents' position
Commission vacancies and functioning
Petitioner's allegations and requests
The petitioner alleges that several SHRCs are understaffed or lack functioning leadership, and seeks time-bound appointments and reconstitution where needed.
Respondents' position
The articles report that the Centre, NHRC and state governments were asked to respond; they do not report their positions on the allegations.
Complaints and resources
Petitioner's allegations and requests
The petitioner seeks adequate staff and infrastructure and asks that complaints not be transferred to commissions without functioning chairpersons and members.
Respondents' position
The articles do not state whether the respondents accept or oppose these requests.
- Court action
- Notices issued to the Centre, the NHRC and all state governments.
- Petitioner
- Association of Retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts of India.
- Petition filing date
- September 21; the year is not specified.
- Commissions alleged to be defunct
- Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand.
- States with prolonged acting-chairperson arrangements
- Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya.
- Law cited
- Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, including Sections 21, 13(6) and 28.
- Additional requested measures
- Adequate infrastructure, details of transferred cases, periodic status reports, updated websites and public annual reports.
