Issue of courts for human rights can be raised in HCs: SC

New Delhi, Apr 1: The Supreme Court today appreciated the demand for setting up of special courts for dealing with cases of human rights but refused to pass any direction on the petition in this regard saying the issue has to be raised before high courts.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia said the questions raised in the public interest litigation was "not bad in law" and could be heard by the High Courts of respective states.

"Already an important question of law is involved in the petition. Instead of raising it here the purpose will be served if the petitioners move respective High Court," the bench, also comprising Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar, said.

"We are not saying that petition is bad in law," the bench further said, adding that "it will come under the jurisdiction of the administration of High Court to set up such courts".

"Why are you not going to the state high courts?" the bench asked.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by an NGO, Asian Centre for Human Rights, seeking a direction for the Centre to set up exclusive courts for dealing with the cases of human rights.

The court appreciated the effort of the petitioner after its counsel successfully answered its question that there was a legislation favouring such types of courts.

PTI