WORKING OF THE COMMISSION‌

The commission’s headquarters is at Delhi and it can also establish offices at other places in India. It is vested with the power to regulate its own procedure. It has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character. It may call for information or report from the Central and state governments or any other authority subordinate thereto.

The commission has its own nucleus of investigating staff for investigation into complaints of human rights violations. Besides, it is empowered to utilise the services of any officer or investigation agency of the Central government or any state government for the purpose. It has also established effective cooperation with the NGOs with first-hand information about human rights violations.

The commission is not empowered to inquire into any matter after the expiry of one year from the date on which the act constituting violation of human rights is alleged to have been committed. In other words, it can look into a matter within one year of its occurrence4 .

The commission may take any of the following steps during or upon the completion of an inquiry:

(a) it may recommend to the concerned government or authority to make payment of compensation or damages to the victim;

(b) it may recommend to the concerned government or authority the initiation of proceedings for prosecution or any other action against the guilty public servant;

(c) it may recommend to the concerned government or authority for the grant of immediate interim relief to the victim;

(d) it may approach the Supreme Court or the high court concerned for the necessary directions, orders or writs.