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Develop digital forensic infrastructure to deal with Dark Web: NHRC chief

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson Justice Arun Kumar Mishra on Sunday expressed concern about the Dark Web and the threat it poses to society, adding that there is a need to develop a digital forensic infrastructure to deal with it. Speaking at a Constitution Day event here, the former Supreme Court judge also said that public interest litigations (PILs) should not be used for political purposes. "We live in the digital era which is helpful for progress and development. There is a phenomenon of increasing the number of internet users. However, 96 per cent of the cyberspace is the Dark Web. It is used for criminal purposes such as exploitation of children, destroying the right to privacy, modern slavery, trafficking, and demanding ransom by data hacking...it must be stopped," the NHRC chief said. "We must invest and develop a broad-based digital forensic infrastructure to tackle the misuse of cyberspace and criminal commerce. At the same time we have to ensure the .

NHRC to hold camp in NE states to hear human rights violation cases

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will hold a camp sitting here on Friday to hear cases of alleged human rights violations in the North Eastern states, an official statement said. A national-level conference on sensitising local self-governments on various aspects of human rights will also be organised by the Commission, it said. The Commission will also meet members of civil society and NGOs as well as the press during its two-day visit, beginning from Thursday. NHRC chairperson Justice Arun Mishra, members Dnyaneshwar M Mulay and Rajiv Jain, secretary general Bharat Lal and other senior officers, will attend the conference and camp sitting. The conference on 'Advancing Human Rights through Local Self Governments' will be held on November 16, in which chairpersons of the state human rights commissions of Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim will participate. The main objective of the conference is to create awareness regarding the role of local ...

NHRC raises concern over 'tardy progress' towards zero stubble-burning aim

The NHRC on Friday expressed serious concern over the "tardy progress" towards achieving zero stubble burning to reduce air pollution, with its chairperson saying the time has come to "fix responsibility of officers from the top to bottom". National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra said this while chairing the full Commission follow-up hearing through video conference on the matter of Delhi air pollution, which the rights panel had taken up suo motu last year on the basis of media reports, officials said. Expressing serious concern over the tardy progress towards achieving zero stubble-burning to reduce air pollution, the NHRC chief said the time has come to "fix responsibility of officers from the top to bottom". He said, "We have to rise to the situation as millions are choking due to air pollution and cannot allow it to be so perpetually". "The poor farmers cannot be blamed solely for stubble burning some of them do not have the financi

NHRC organises two-day international seminar on business and human rights

The seminar on Business Human Rights focused on two crucial themes, 'Harmonizing Climate Change, Human Rights and Business' and 'Advancing Human Rights in Business and Industry'

No 'gross violation' of human rights in India, says NHRC chief Mishra

The NHRC chairperson was referring to some foreign agencies taking up Human Rights violations in India at the international level

SC asks MHA to frame guidelines for police briefings to media in trials

"It should be ensured that the disclosure doesn't result in a media trial so as to allow pre-determination of the guilt of the accused," the Court said

NHRC sends notice to Centre, DGCI over circulation of falsified drugs

The NHRC has issued notices to the Union health ministry and the Drugs Controller General of India over the reported circulation of falsified liver drug Defitalio and cancer drug Adcetris, officials said on Wednesday. The National Human Rights Commission, in a statement, observed that the content of the news report, if true, raises a serious issue of violation of human rights, which is a matter of concern, it said. The NHRC has taken "suo motu cognisance of a media report that after the alert from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has asked the state regulators, doctors and patients to remain vigilant about two medicines - liver drug Defitalio and cancer drug Adcetris, as the falsified versions of these drugs are circulating in four countries, including India", it said. "Reportedly, the falsified versions of Adcetris injection 50 mg, detected in four countries, including India, are most often found to be available at the ...

NHRC wants Irdai to ensure insurers offer health products to disabled

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the insurance regulator Idrai to make insurance companies follow the spirit of the law of the land to ensure that the disabled get hassle-free health insurance by designing special products for them. A panel meeting of the representatives of the NHRC, Irdai, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People and some key finance ministry officials here Friday called for rationalising and institutionalising insurance for the disabled. Disability advocacy groups have long been pushing for comprehensive health coverage for the disabled. Following the December 2022 guidelines issued by the Delhi High Court, Irdai, in February 2023, mandated insurers to offer annual health coverage to disabled, HIV-positive, and mentally disabled people. The regulator had also instructed insurers to devise inclusive insurance products aligned with the essential recommendations for the disabled. However, insurers are limiting the ...

SC dismisses NHRC's plea on deploying observers for WB rural polls

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea by the NHRC challenging an order of the Calcutta High Court setting aside the human rights body's directive deputing its official for identifying sensitive constituencies and deploying micro-observers for the recently concluded panchayat polls in West Bengal. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan said interference by the NHRC affected the autonomy and independence of the State Election Commission (SEC). The top court was hearing a petition filed by the NHRC challenging an order of the division bench of the high court which said the direction of the National Human Rights Commission sought to encroach upon the jurisdiction of the SEC to conduct free and fair panchayat elections. The NHRC had, by its June 12 order, deputed its director general (investigation) as a special human rights observer to give it first-hand information on incidents of violence and to conduct an on-the-spot survey of West Bengal in consultation with the SEC t

Over 2,000 cured patients still housed in mental hospitals, says NHRC

More than 2,000 cured patients are still housed in mental hospitals in the country when they should not stay there even for an extra day, NHRC chairperson justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra said on Wednesday. The NHRC chief said this in his address during a national conference on mental health held at Vigyan Bhawan here, in the presence of Union Minister of State for Health Bharti Pravin Pawar, among other dignitaries. "A hospital is not a place where cured patients should be allowed to stay even for a single extra day," justice Mishra said. In his address, he made a reference to a report prepared by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), based on visits made by teams of the Commission and its special rapporteurs, from July 2022 to January 2023, of various mental healthcare institutions in the country. "The report indicates that there are more than 2,000 cured patients in mental health hospitals when there should not be even one cured patient in a hospital. A hospital is not a

2,000 cured patients still housed in mental hospitals across country: NHRC

More than 2,000 cured patients are still housed in mental hospitals in the country when they should not stay there even for an extra day, NHRC chairperson justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra said on Wednesday. The NHRC chief said this in his address during a national conference on mental health held at Vigyan Bhawan here, in the presence of Union Minister of State for Health Bharti Pravin Pawar, among other dignitaries. "A hospital is not a place where cured patients should be allowed to stay even for a single extra day," justice Mishra said. In his address, he made a reference to a report prepared by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), based on visits made by teams of the Commission and its special rapporteurs, from July 2022 to January 2023, of various mental healthcare institutions in the country. "The report indicates that there are more than 2,000 cured patients in mental health hospitals when there should not be even one cured patient in a hospital. A hospital is not a

Screen inmates' mental health to prevent in-prison suicides: NHRC

The NHRC has suggested screening inmates' mental health at the time of admission and constant monitoring of at-risk prisoners to bring down instances of suicides among them. The human rights body also recommended improving prison architecture and its environment to mitigate suicide attempts by prisoners in judicial custody. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has observed that most of the unnatural deaths of prisoners occur due to suicide. In an advisory issued to the central and state governments and the Union Territories, the NHRC emphasised keeping barracks and toilets, where most suicides take place, free of such objects as can be used for hanging, for instance, iron rods, grills, fans, and hooks. It also suggested encouraging visits by family members of the prisoner and or at least phone talk to keep inmates off the edge. The commission gave the suggestions in a letter which was also sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Police Research and Developme

NHRC sends notice to chief secretary after kids fall ill from mid-day meal

NHRC has issued a notice to Bihar Chief Secretary Aamir Subhani in connection with 150 school children who fell ill after consuming mid-day meals in West Champaran district on June 1

We must encourage tech transfer to deal pollution challenges: NHRC

Adopting a rights-based approach to environmental protection ensures that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can live in a clean and safe environment, NHRC chairperson justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra said on Monday. In a written message on World Environment Day, issued by the National Human Rights Commission on Monday, he said environmental protection has a "vital connection" with human rights. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on June 5 since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world, the UN says on its website. "The day reminds us that sustainable development envisages protecting the environment, which is crucial for human existence. Adopting a rights-based approach to environmental protection ensures that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can live in a clean and safe environment," justi

NHRC notice to Andhra govt over 'lack of school' in tribal village in ASR

The NHRC on Friday issued a notice to the Andhra Pradesh government over reports that despite requests, authorities have not been able to set up any school in Jajulabandha tribal hamlet in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district. According to a statement by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), reportedly, as children could not take a walk through six kilometers of rough terrain in the forest to attend school, they prefer to work along with their parents. The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, the statement said. The commission has observed that the content of the media report, if true, raises a serious concern relating to the right to education of the children. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the chief secretary, government of Andhra Pradesh, seeking a detailed report within four weeks. The commission said it would like to know about the steps taken/proposed to be taken to address the issue raised in the news report as well as other parts of the Stat

NHRC notice to railways, police chief over electrocution of 6 workers

The NHRC has issued a notice to the railways and the police chief of Jharkhand over electrocution of six contract labourers while they were installing a truss pole to support the overhead railway power lines in Dhanbad rail division, officials said on Thursday. Apparently, the incident, which took place on May 29, amounts to "contributory negligence" of the public servant who "failed to supervise the work of the contractor effectively", and therefore, it is a matter of concern for the Commission, the rights panel said in a statement. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that six contract labourers were electrocuted while installing a truss pole to support the overhead railway power line near Nichitpur railway crossing, on the Dhanbad-Gaya section in Dhanbad rail division. Reportedly, the contractor had not taken steps to get the power supply blocked before starting the work, it said. The Commission has observed that the

TMC approaches NHRC, files case for manhandling protesting women wrestlers

The TMC has filed a case with the National Human Rights Commission seeking action against the Delhi Police for "manhandling and assaulting" protesting women wrestlers at Jantar Mantar here, party spokesperson Saket Gokhale said Tuesday. The protesting wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, were detained on Sunday after they breached the security cordon while trying to move towards the new Parliament building. Soon after, the Delhi Police cleared the site of their over month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar and said they will not be allowed to return there. "On behalf of my party TMC (@AITCofficial), have filed a case with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking action against Delhi Police for manhandling & assaulting our protesting women wrestlers. This is not only a violation of their fundamental right to protest but also a violation of their rights as women. "We appeal to @India_NHRC to be objective and impartial and take swift action on ...

India has 'unparalleled mechanism' to address human rights violations: NHRC

India has an "unparalleled institutional mechanism" to address the issues of human rights violations, with the rights panel having an overarching jurisdiction to look into grievances of specific vulnerable sections of the society, NHRC chairperson justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra on Tuesday said. He said while addressing members of various international human rights forums, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in a statement. India "cannot be ignored for its overall progress", and advancement "along with its democratic values, which are the best in the world", it said. India has an "unparalleled institutional mechanism" to address the issues of human rights violations with the NHRC having overarching jurisdiction in addition to seven other national commissions and its deemed members to look into the rights-based grievances of specific vulnerable sections of the society, he was quoted as saying in the statement. No doubt certain improvements may be required, but the ...

NHRC issues notice to Bengal govt over 9 deaths in firecracker factory

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to the West Bengal government seeking a detailed report on the explosion in an illegal firecracker factory that left nine people dead and several others injured, an official said. The blast took place at Egra in Purba Medinipur district on May 16. There seems to be a violation of the human rights of the victims of the blast due to negligence on the part of the administration, the NHRC official told PTI. The notice was sent to West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi and Director General of Police Manoj Malviya seeking a detailed report in the matter within four weeks, he said. We would like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officers, responsible for the tragedy and how much compensation has been paid to the family members of those killed and injured," the official said.

NHRC notice to govt over rise in child sexual abuse content on social media

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Centre and states over a report that the circulation of child sexual abuse material on social media in India has increased by 250-300 per cent, officials said on Tuesday. Reportedly, such contents are from foreign countries and the Indian investigation agencies have not come across any Indian-made material so far, the rights panel said. The commission, in a statement, has observed that the content of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights relating to the life, liberty, and dignity of citizens, and protection of the young children from the danger of their sexual abuse on social media. The NHRC said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the media report that the circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has increased by 250-300 per cent on social media in India. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the commissioner of police, Delhi; the director generals of the police of all states