Gauhati High Court Closes PIL Seeking Establishment Of Mizoram State Human Rights Commission After State Constitutes Body
The Gauhati High Court at Aizawl closed a PIL seeking a directions to the Mizoram government to establish State Human Rights Commission, after the government informed that it has appointed the Chairperson as well as two members and that appointment of the staff will be finalised in a short while.
This PIL was filed with a prayer to set up the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) as per provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
On July 21, the Court had asked Government Advocate (GA) Vanneihsiami to provide updated instructions regarding whether the notification for appointment of the Chairperson and members of the Commission has been approved by the Governor.
In pursuant to the said order, the GA submitted that the State Government has already appointed a Chairperson and two members to the Commission vide Notification dated July 08. She further submitted that it is only within a short time that the selection and appointment of the staff for the commission would be finalised. Additionally, the Court was informed that renovation of the building to house the Commission is also under way.
After the perusing the developments, the bench comprising Justice Nelson Sailo and Justice Shamima Jahan observed:
“Considering the above developments, we are of the considered view that the purpose of the instant PIL has been served. We have no doubt in our minds that State Government will spare no efforts to make the State Human Rights Commission functional effectively without delay.”
However, the Court noted that the accommodation plan for the Commission is only temporary in nature and it is desirable that the State Government explores ways and means to give the Commission a permanent building.
Case Title: Zofa Welfare Organisation (ZWO) Mizoram v. State of Mizoram & 5 Ors.
Case No.: PIL/4/2021