Ex-CJI Chandrachud in contention as PM Modi-led panel conducts meeting to select NHRC chief

New Delhi: A committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met here on Wednesday to select the next chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) though sources said members from the Opposition in the panel have expressed dissent to the government's choices for Chairman and a member.

The post of NHRC chairperson has been vacant since former Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Kumar Mishra completed his tenure on June 1. Since then, NHRC member Vijaya Bharathi Sayani has been appointed acting chairperson.

The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and the two Leaders of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi among others. A former Chief Justice of India or a retired judge of the apex court is eligible to be appointed as NHRC chairperson by the president on the recommendation of the selection committee.

Sources said members from the Opposition are likely to submit their dissent note soon but they refused to speak about the decision taken at the meeting.

One of the names speculated to head the NHRC is recently retired Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud. Earlier, former Chief Justices of India H L Dattu and K G Balakrishnan had also headed the NHRC.