Justice V Ramasubramanian Appointed NHRC Chairperson
Justice V Ramasubramanian, former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as announced on December 23, 2024. The position had been vacant since Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra’s tenure ended on June 1, 2024. Justice Mishra was the first non-CJI to hold the NHRC chairperson post since the Protection of Human Rights Act was amended in 2019. Interim leadership was provided by NHRC member Vijaya Bharathi Sayani until Ramasubramanian’s appointment.
Born on June 30, 1958, Justice V Ramasubramanian began his legal career in 1983 and practiced law for over two decades in the Madras High Court. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Madras High Court in 2006 and became a permanent judge in 2009. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, he was transferred to the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In 2019, he served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and later became a Supreme Court judge in September of the same year.
Alongside Ramasubramanian, Priyank Kanoongo, former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi (Retd.) have been appointed as NHRC members. Kanoongo emphasized his commitment to child protection laws during his NCPCR tenure and pledged to continue upholding human rights in his new role.
Justice Ramasubramanian assumes office at a critical juncture, emphasizing that human rights are deeply rooted in India’s cultural ethos and require collaboration among stakeholders for effective promotion and protection. His vast experience and judicial legacy are expected to strengthen NHRC’s role in safeguarding human rights across the nation.
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in news | Justice V Ramasubramanian appointed as the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on December 23, 2024, succeeding Justice Arun Kumar Mishra. |
| Vacancy Period | The NHRC chairperson’s position was vacant since June 1, 2024, after Justice Arun Kumar Mishra completed his tenure. |
| Interim Leadership | Vijaya Bharathi Sayani served as acting chairperson from June 2, 2024, until Justice Ramasubramanian’s appointment. |
| New NHRC Members | Priyank Kanoongo (former NCPCR chairperson) and Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi (Retd.) were also appointed as NHRC members. |
| Justice Ramasubramanian | Born on June 30, 1958; enrolled in the Bar on February 16, 1983; served as a High Court judge (2006), Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh HC (2019), and SC judge (2019). |
| Static Point – NHRC | Established: 1993; Headquarters: New Delhi; Purpose: Protect and promote human rights in India. |
| Static Point – NCPCR | Established: 2007; Purpose: Protect and promote child rights under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. |
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