THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala State Human Rights Commission chairman Justice J B Koshy has stated that no human rights organisation in the state has the recognition of the commission. Justice Koshy stated in an order that no organisation in the state should claim that it had the approval of and protection from the commission.
‘’In case of any organisation collecting money, misleading or cheating the people in the name of rights bodies the affected parties can approach the police.
In case of receiving complaints from such people, the police should initiate an inquiry as per law,’’ the commission said in its order. ‘’As per the Human Rights Protection Act, the commission conducts the enquiry using its investigation wing or employing an official not below the rank of a Gazetted officer. The commission has not engaged any agency to conduct any investigation’’ Justice Koshy’s order said.
The commission’s ruling came on a complaint by K S Sudheeran, Sudhendran, Noushad K Thekkazhikath against Kadakkavoor Vikaraman, secretary of an organisation called ‘’Kerala state Human Rights protection council’’ which has been claiming that it had the recognition of the commission. The commission said such organisations should not use the names, boards on vehicles or use letterheads which could appear like that of the State government.
The commission pointed out that it had noticed that some organisations had beenusing names similar to that of the commission. This is illegal. No organisation can function as part of the commission.
And human rights organisations should not give membership in the style of money chain, the commission said. Some organisations are collecting money claiming that it had the approval of the SHRC. There is no right for the commission to give membership to the organisations as per the Human Rights Act.
Lok Ayukta has also made it clear that such organisations had no recognition of the Lok Ayukta. Some of the organisations are claiming that they had the powers of even the Chief Justice, Justice Koshy said.