HC hears PIL on MHRC vacancy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 03 2025: Hearing a petition filed for direction to the State for appointment of a Chairperson for Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), the High Court has served notice on Chief Secretary PK Singh and fixed April 2 for next hearing.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by one Okram Nutankumar Singh against the State represented by the Chief Secretary.

It sought the Court to issue a writ or direction to the State for appointment of a Chairperson and a Member (Judicial) of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and in the interim, direct the State to authorise any Member of the Commission to act as the Chairperson until the appointment of a new Chairperson.

A division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui heard the PIL today.

Notably, the Commission has not been functioning in the absence of a Chairperson since August 2024 .

The last Chairperson, Justice Utpalendu Bikas Saha demitted the office on his attaining the age of 70 years on August 24, 2024 .

The incumbent Member of the MHRC is unable to take up any cases including those pending before the Commission due to vacancy in the office of the Chairperson, said the PIL .

The State has failed to make the MHRC functional since August 2024 despite a request letter from the MHRC .

The inability of the MHRC to function due to inaction on the part of the State may amount to denial of justice to the victims and giving false hope to affected people, said the PIL .

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