The National Human Rights Commission conducts inquiries into incidents

The National Human Rights Commission conducts inquiries into incidents where human rights have been violated. Such inquiry shall be initiated by the Commission

only upon a petition presented to it by a victim.

only when it is directed to do so by a Court.

suo motu or on a petition by the victim or any person on the victim's behalf or on a direction or order of any Court.

only when such complaint is forwarded by the concerned SHO.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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The correct answer is C.

Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which lists the functions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), states that the Commission shall “inquire, suo motu or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf, into complaint of… violation of human rights…”. This covers the initiation of inquiry suo motu or upon petition. While the Act primarily lists suo motu action and petitions as modes of initiation, courts frequently direct the NHRC or State Human Rights Commissions to conduct inquiries into matters involving human rights violations. This is a recognized mode of initiation in practice.

Options A, B, and D are restrictive. Option A is incorrect because suo motu action is also permitted. Option B is incorrect because the Commission can initiate inquiry suo motu or on a petition, not just upon court direction. Option D is incorrect as complaints are not initiated solely based on forwarding by an SHO; the Commission receives complaints directly from victims, others, or acts on its own motion. Option C covers the range of ways initiation can occur: on its own motion, based on complaints/petitions, and also upon direction from a Court.

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