Plea before Kerala HC on SHRC reconstitution

Kochi, Oct 30 (UNI) The Kerala High Court was today moved for a direction to the state government on reconstitution of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) with only ''eligible members'' and those having experience in the field by substituting the existing members other than the chairman.

The petition was filed by human rights activist Madhu S Nair challenging the continuance of Mr Justice V P Mohan Kumar and Mr Justice A Lakshmikutty as the members of the Commission.

It will come up before a Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice V K Bali and Mr Justice P R Raman tomorrow.

According to the petitioner, Justce Lakshmikutty was appointed as a member of the Commission at a time when the appointment of the other members, including the then Chairperson Mohan Kumar, was challenged before the High Court.

The petitioner contended that the continuance of Mr Justice Mohan Kumar and Justice Lakshmikutty as members of the Commission was illegal as their appointment was in violation of Section 21 of the Human Rights Act which contemplated only four members in the State Commission.

UNI XR ARC RR VC2022