Anant Manohar will be the Chairman of the Bihar Human Rights Commission

The Bihar Human Rights Commission unanimously selected retired Patna High Court judge Anant Manohar Badar as their new Chairman.  Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Legislative Council Chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur, Assembly Speaker Avadh Bihari Chaudhary, and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijay Sinha attended the meeting.

• The Chairman of the Legislative Council proposed Anant Manohar Badar's name, which was unanimously approved. Although the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Hari Sahani, was not present, he authorized the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly to make the decision.
• Born on August 10, 1961, Anant Manohar Badar began his career as a lawyer in 1985 at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. 
  • He joined the Maharashtra Judicial Service as a District Judge in November 2000 and later became an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on March 3, 2014. He was eventually transferred to Kerala and Patna High Court in May 2020.

About Bihar State Human Rights Commission

The National Human Rights Commission was established by the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 at the national level and State Human Rights Commissions at the state level.

• In the State of Bihar, the State Human Rights Commission was established on January 3 2000. However, the Commission was formally constituted on June 25, 2008, when Shri Justice S.N. Jha, a former Chief Justice of the J&K and Rajasthan High Courts, was appointed as Chairperson and Shri Justice Rajendra Prasad, a former Judge of the Patna High Court and Shri R.R. Prasad, a former Director General of Police, Bihar was appointed as member.
• The Human Rights Commission is an independent and influential organization that monitors human rights. It is empowered by the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993. The Commission's independence is maintained through the appointment process of its Chairperson and Members, their set terms, and the legal protection outlined in section 23 of the Act. Additionally, the Commission has financial autonomy as described in section 33 of the Act. 
• The high status of the Commission is found in the status of the Chairperson, Members and its functionaries. Compared to other Commissions, only a former Chief Justice of the High Court can be appointed as Chairperson, and, likewise, the Secretary to the Commission has to be an officer not below the rank of Secretary to the State Government. The Commission has its investigating agency led by a police officer of at least Inspector General rank.

Functions

The Commission may:

• An inquiry can be initiated independently or through a petition presented by a victim or someone on their behalf. The inquiry aims to investigate complaints of human rights violations or negligence by a public servant in preventing such violations.
• With the court's approval, intervene in any court proceeding related to human rights violations or allegations.
• To study inmates' living conditions, visit State Government-controlled institutions where individuals are detained or lodged for treatment, reformation, or protection.
• Review the constitutional and legal safeguards protecting human rights.
• Review the factors that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights.
• Engage in and encourage research related to human rights.
• Spread awareness of human rights and available safeguards through publications and medical seminars.
• Encourage the efforts of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and extension work in the field of human rights.
• Perform such other functions as may be considered necessary to promote human rights.

NOTE: While enquiring into the complaint, the Commission is vested with the powers of a civil court under Code of Civil Procedure 1908. 

Committee

Appointment the Chairperson and members of the State Human Rights Commission on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:

• Chief Minister (chairperChairpersoninister
• Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
• Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly
• Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
• Chairman of the Legislative Council

It is clarified that though ordinarily, the Commission has the power to enquire when there is a violation of human rights (or abetment thereof) by a public servant, where a private citizen violates human rights, the Commission can intervene if there is failure or negligence on the part of a public servant to prevent such violation.