The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : SHRC work allocation row drags on

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 13, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

SHRC work allocation row drags on

By K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, MARCH 12. The State Human Rights Commission continues to be plagued by the controversy which started about six months ago following a letter issued by its Chairperson on allocation of cases.

S. Sambandham, a member, says his functioning has been curtailed by the communication from the Chairman, Justice S. Thangaraj. There are only two members now, including the Chairman. While Mr. Sambandham says the Chairman should allocate cases only after discussions, Mr. Justice Thangaraj explains that he is only following the procedure adhered to by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

New instructions

In his communication, the Chairman instructed the staff to list all complaints in a register and place it before him every week. He would allocate the cases to either a single member or a Division Bench after an assessment. The system of disposal of complaints monthwise should be discontinued. The procedure adopted by the NHRC should be followed from October 1 last.

Mr. Sambandham shot back saying that as per the Protection of Human Rights Act, the Chairperson was only a member. All members had equal rights. Regretting the Chairman's unilateral decision, he said all members should sit together once or twice a week and the work should be allotted after discussions. He rejected the letter.

When asked, Mr. Sambandham said that as per the Act he could function independently. He was now dealing with the complaints numbered in the past (before the letter was issued).

Mr. Justice Thangaraj said the Commission's work was not affected in any way. There would be alternative numbering of cases and complaints would be allocated accordingly.

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