Administrator
30 July 2025
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India today concluded its two-day ‘Open hearing and Camp Sitting’ at Hyderabad after hearing 109 cases of human rights violations.
These cases were in the state of Telangana. And the NHRC Chairperson, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian, Members, Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi and Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani heard these cases in the presence of the victims, complainants and the authorities.
Shri Bharat Lal, Secretary General, Shri R.P. Meena, Director General (Investigation), Shri Joginder Singh, Registrar (Law) and other officers of the Commission were present.
During the Open Hearing, the Commission heard 90 cases by the two Benches. These pertained to death of children in hospitals due to fire, increasing menace of stray dogs in residential areas, death in fire incident, cases of tiger attacks, trafficking of tribal women, forcible eviction of tribal families, denial of basic human amenities, crime against women including rape, crime against children, police atrocities, suicidal deaths, misappropriation of Dalit Bandhu Scheme Fund, cases of family pension, lack of primary schools, food poisoning in Gurukul schools, malnutrition cases, non-registration of FIR by police, etc.
The Commission, after considering the matters on merits, passed appropriate directions. Some of the many important reliefs given are as under:
• In one case of caste-based harassment and a social boycott in Khammam district, following the intervention of the NHRC, the police took action and ensured that the villagers refrained from engaging in caste-based discrimination or enforcing a social boycott against the family.
• In a case involving the death of around 48 students and 886 incidents of food poisoning in Gurukul schools in Telangana, the Commission directed the Secretaries of all five Gurukul schools to submit a report within four weeks.
• In another case of wrongful arrest and lathi charge by the police, the NHRC directed the state government to submit all relevant documents, including environmental clearance and consent to establish the plant.
• In an incident involving the death of four persons in a blast at a DRDO-linked rocket propellant unit, three out of four families have been paid a total amount of Rs. 50 lakh as relief, and the Commission has ordered payment of relief to the remaining victim’s family.
• In a case regarding the increasing stray dog menace, which was presented by a 5th standard student, the Commission directed the concerned authorities to come up with an SOP to curb the menace.
• In a case regarding the trafficking of tribal women, the erring Constable has been dismissed from the service, and many trafficked tribal women have been rescued.
Later, the Full Bench of the Commission took up 19 pending cases for hearing. In 9 cases out of these, the Commission recommended payment of Rs. 49.65 lakh as monetary relief to the victims. Out of this, Rs. 22.50 lakh has already been paid by the Telangana Government. It has agreed to make the remaining payment of Rs. 27.15 lakh.
The Commission closed 29 cases on merit after hearing both the parties. 02 cases were closed after receipt of the compliance report along with proof of payment.
After hearing the cases on 28th July, 2025, the Commission held a meeting with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior officers of the Telangana Government on various aspects of human rights on 29th July, 2025. They were sensitised on the implementation of policies and programmes of the government in such a manner that no one is left out. Emphasis was laid on preventive and systemic steps to be taken so that human rights are not violated. It was underscored that human rights concerns impacted by environment, climate change, and business needed to be addressed.
Issues like crime against women, crime against children, man-animal conflict leading to deaths in many districts of Telangana, large number of children suffering from malnutrition, problems faced by the SC Corporation, lack of government primary schools, the plight of farmers including those engaged in the production of fish seeds, the rights of the LGBTQI community, etc. were discussed.
The Commission appreciated the compliance of its directions by the state functionaries. The officers presented their good practices before the Commission. They were asked to ensure timely submission of reports to the Commission so that justice is ensured to the victims of human rights. Submission of action taken reports on various Advisories of the Commission such as Mental Health, bonded labour, Right to Food & Safety was emphasised. The State Chief Secretary assured full compliance with the Commission’s recommendations.
Later, the Commission also interacted with the representatives of the civil society, NGOs and human rights defenders (HRDs). The Commission reiterated that it believes in working in tandem with SHRCs and the civil society representatives for the protection and promotion of human rights. NGO representatives and HRDs highlighted various issues like problems of the elderly, disabled persons, bedridden patients, etc. They also sought financial assistance for severely disabled persons to support caregivers. The problems of poor children not getting their identity documents were also highlighted. The Commission appreciated the work being done by them in the State and encouraged them to continue doing so without fear or favour.
The interaction concluded with the observation of NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian that the continued partnership of the NGOs and HRDs with the National Human Rights Commission will go a long way in strengthening human rights in the country. They were also informed that they can file complaints of human rights violations online through hrcnet.nic.in
Dr. Justice Shameem Akther, Chairperson of the Telangana State Human Rights Commission was present in all the meetings.
Thereafter, the Commission briefed the media on the outcome of the Open Hearing and Camp Sitting at Hyderabad, Telangana.
