Inform about fund, infrastructure requirements: Bombay HC to state rights panel 

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The PIL alleged that the government had failed to ensure effective functioning of human rights courts in each district in Maharashtra, besides appointing special public prosecutors, as per rules. The commission needs a quorum of three members to be fully functional. The HC asked the government if the third member of the commission had been appointed. Government pleader Geeta Shastri said that the state had appointed the third member in March, this year.

“We grant you (MSHRC) one week to file an affidavit, specifying your budgetary and infrastructural needs. Inform us, so we can pass appropriate orders,” said the court. The matter has been kept for hearing on May 3.

The PIL alleged that the commission had not received funding for purchasing computers and other equipment for the past two years. “Lack of timely appointment of members has resulted in a severe impediment to the protection of human rights and dignity across the state and a massive backlog of cases,” said the petition.

In the last order, the court had asked the government to inform how many persons had been appointed on temporary basis in the commission. It had also told the state to fill up the vacancies, pertaining to members in the commission. It had also asked if budgetary grant as proposed by the commission and proper infrastructural facilities were being made available.

The HC passed similar orders earlier while hearing a matter, pertaining to vacancies in the state Commission for Women.

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