Why no NHRC chief, asks SC

A bench headed by Justice S  H Kapadia asked the government to file its response to a public interest litigation  filed by the People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) seeking its direction to appoint a chairman for the commission.

“The non-appointment of a chairperson for the NHRC has an important bearing on the effective discharge of functions of the commission. It is, therefore, directly connected with the administration of justice and rule of law,’’ said the petition filed by Pushkar Raj, general secretary of PUCL.

The NHRC is an important body, created to protect human rights, the petition said.
“The inaction of the government in not appointing a chairperson of the NHRC, in the circumstances is arbitrary and unreasonable and, therefore, violates Article 14 of the Constitution,’’ said the petition.

The post of chairman has been lying vacant since May 9 after former Chief Justice of India S Rajendra Babu demitted the office after getting superannuation.
The commission is now headed by a retired  Supreme Court judge, who is functioning as acting chairman.

As per rules, the commission is to be headed by a retired chief justice of India.