The working of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) is likely to come to a halt from July 28 if the State government does not appoint a Chairman or a member by July 27, S.R. Nayak, the outgoing Chairman, has said.
Mr. Nayak is demitting office on July 25 following completion of his five-year term, and member R.C. Reddi completes his term on July 27. The government is yet to appoint the second member following the retirement of Parthasarathy on March 2. The commission has a Chairman and two members.
“Officials cannot decide on issues related to human rights. If a member is appointed, he/she can officiate as Chairman. We receive hundreds of complaints every day. Officials may have to keep these complaints aside until the government appoints a Chairman,” he said.
Mr. Nayak was talking to presspersons on Friday after a meeting with Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner N.S. Channappa Gowda; Inspector-General of Police (Western Range) Pratap Reddy; Superintendent of Police, Abhishek Goyal; and Deputy Commissioner of Police M. Mutturaya.
He said the government should have initiated the process of selecting the new Chairman two months ahead of the completion of his term. “If this had been done, there would have been continuity in the working of the commission. So far, I have not heard about who is going to replace me.”
Mr. Nayak refused to comment when asked whether the post of Chairman would be kept vacant like what happened with the Lokayukta. He, however, said the process [of selection] had already started.
Mr. Nayak said the Chief Minister would have to call a meeting of constitutional authorities, such as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Chairman of the Legislative Council and the Home Minister.
