V. Ramasubramanian Appointed NHRC Chairperson
The post of Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) remained vacant since Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra completed his tenure on June 1, 2024. The appointment of former Supreme Court judge, V. Ramasubramanian, was confirmed by President Droupadi Murmu on December 23. Ramasubramanian’s appointment marks a new chapter in the NHRC, following Mishra’s tenure from June 2021 to June 2024.
Since Mishra’s tenure ended, the NHRC was led by acting chairperson Vijaya Bharathi Sayani. On December 18, 2024, a high-powered committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened to select the new chairperson. Ramasubramanian, a former judge of the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, was appointed for the crucial role.
Justice Ramasubramanian’s judicial career is distinguished by his tenure at the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court. Appointed to the SC in 2019, he authored 102 judgments, including landmark rulings on demonetization and circumstantial evidence in bribery cases. His legal expertise and experience will guide the NHRC in fulfilling its mandate to protect human rights.
In addition to Ramasubramanian, the President also appointed Priyank Kanoongo and Justice (retd) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi as members of the NHRC. Kanoongo, former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), brings valuable experience in child rights protection to the commission.
| Why in News | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Appointment of V. Ramasubramanian as NHRC Chairperson | V. Ramasubramanian appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). |
| Post Vacancy | The NHRC chairperson position was vacant since June 2024, after Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra completed his tenure. |
| Tenure of Arun Kumar Mishra | Mishra served as the NHRC Chairperson from June 2021 to June 2024. |
| Appointment Process | A high-powered committee led by PM Modi selected the new NHRC Chairperson. |
| Previous NHRC Leaders | Former Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu and K.G. Balakrishnan have previously headed the NHRC. |
| New Members | Priyank Kanoongo and Justice (retd) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi appointed as NHRC members. |
| V. Ramasubramanian’s Judicial Career | Ramasubramanian served as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court and a Supreme Court judge from 2019 to 2023. |
| Judicial Contributions | Ramasubramanian authored 102 judgments, including cases on demonetization and bribery. |
| NHRC Role | NHRC’s primary role is to protect and promote human rights in India. |
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