Human Rights Commission play a critical role as far as Police excesses on people are concerned. The basic objective of The Protection of Human Rights Act is to ensure Life and dignity of Life to every individual which is itself guaranteed to every individual by Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Every individual, whether he is Citizen of India or not can avail the benefit of the provisions of the Act. The Commissions are chaired by Retired Chief Justice Of India or the retired Chief Justice of the High Courts and other persons of special knowledge and of high integrity.
Any individual, who is unlawfully, so deprived of his life or liberty or dignity of life, may approach the National Human Rights Commission or the State Human Rights Commission, which are constituted under this Act.
Help of legal expert is not required at all and simple hand written application incorporating the facts and causes is suffice to redress the grievances.
Very few people are aware of their legal rights and very little about their enforcement in Human rights Commission(HRC). The Act also envisages that any individual on behalf of the victim may approach this Commission for the redressal of the grievances of immediate victim.
There is no fee to be paid.
The Commission has enormous powers to give relief to the victims including monetary compensation. The Commission, if necessary, may approach the High Court or Supreme Court on behalf of the victim to give him/her justice.
Section 12 of the Act makes it obligatory on the Commission to take notice of every application so received. Human Rights Commission, in the light of section 12, has Special duty towards Undertrial prisoners.
It is a powerful weapon in the hands of citizen of India and of course this right is available to other persons who are resident of India but not a citizen of India.
National Human Rights Commission is situated at Faridkot House, Copernicus marg, New Delhi. The details of State Human Rights Commission can be obtained from National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) Website. Also, if details of State Human rights Commission are not available, than the complaint may be directed to NHRC and NHRC will transfer the Complaint to relevant State HRC if there exist any in the State. If not, than NHRC will itself proceed.