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Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Most complaints from Gurgaon, human rights panel starts camp courts in city, gives nod for online filing
Gurgaon: The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) received 320 complaints from Gurgaon between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, accounting for the highest number of cases registered this year. The commission recieved a total of 2,442 complaints from across the state during this period. Faridabad, Hisar, Panchkula and Panipat followed Gurgaon with 258, 182, 173 and 113 complaints, respectively, while Charkhi Dadri reported the least number of complaints at 30. In the lower rung, Charkhi Dadri was followed by Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Jhajjar and Yamuna Nagar with 46, 49, 52 and 57 complaints, respectively. According to Puneet Arora, protocol, information and public relations officer of HHRC, the commission was committed to upholding justice and protecting human rights . "Between Nov 27, 2024, and May 31, 2025, a total of 3,086 cases were resolved, which included suo motu matters and 56 long-pending cases," he said. After a gap of 14 months, HHRC was reconstituted on Nov 27, 2024 under the chairpersonship of Justice Lalit Barta and with Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia as members. At the time, the commission had 3,117 pending cases and in the last six months, 1,438 fresh cases were registered. With this, the total number of pending cases with the commission went up to 4,555, out of which 3,086 cases were resolved till May this year. To ensure quicker access to justice for people, the commission holds regular camp courts and takes suo motu cognisance of matters, officials said. "HHRC remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard and promote human rights throughout Haryana. Now, citizens no longer need to travel to Chandigarh or Gurgaon to lodge complaints," said Arora. People can email their grievances free of cost to hhrc-hry@ A camp court in Gurgaon, held twice monthly, hears cases from six southern districts to ensure swift redress. Moreover, during the last year, the commission also inspected jails in Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Kaithal, assessing medical, hygiene, and vocational facilities. The officials concerned were told about the best practices to be followed and necessary reforms to be undertaken. During a visit to Tau Devi Lal Old Age Home in the city, Justice Batra reviewed living conditions and instructed officials to link eligible women with govt schemes like Aadhaar, Ayushman card, old age pension, disability pension, and family ID. At Swami Shraddhanand Orphanage, Karnal, Justice Batra interacted with children, emphasising the importance of education in shaping a strong society. He appreciated the vedic education being imparted to them at the orphanage and motivated children to strive for a brighter future.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HHRC disposes of over 3K cases in 6 months after reconstitution
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has disposed of 3,086 cases in six months since its reconstitution on November 27, 2024. The commission, headed by chairman justice Lalit Batra with members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhaita (are they expert members or also judges, has focused on speeding up case resolution and strengthening human rights mechanisms in the state. According to Dr. Puneet Arora, protocol and information officer of HHRC, the commission prioritised timely disposal of both new and pending cases. At the time of reconstitution, 3,171 cases were pending. Between November 27 and May 31, HHRC received 1,438 new complaints, taking the total caseload to 4,609. Of these, 3,086 cases were disposed of, including 56 that had been pending for over two years. According to HHRC officials, the cases resolved span a wide spectrum, but the majority pertain to complaints against police functioning. These are followed by grievances involving municipal bodies, the power department, and the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board. Other commonly addressed issues relate to the departments of health and education. In the current financial year (2024–25), HHRC received 2,442 complaints. Gurugram had the highest number (320), followed by Faridabad (258), with significant numbers from Hisar, Karnal and Panchkula. Out of these, 836 cases were disposed of, while 1,606 are still under review. Dr. Arora said the data reflects increasing public trust in the Commission's functioning. To be sure, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) was reconstituted on November 27, 2024—14 months after it was rendered non-functional. The delay followed the completion of the previous commission's term in September 2023. The reappointment process was held up twice due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct—first during the General Elections and later ahead of the State Assembly polls. The selection panel could reconvene only after the elections concluded, paving the way for the commission's reconstitution. Justice Batra recently presented a paper on 'Rights of Women Prisoners' at a national human rights conference in Gaya, Bihar, organized by Bihar Institute of Public Administration & Rural Development (BIPARD). He outlined steps being taken in Haryana to improve prison conditions, such as separate housing for women, crèche facilities, free sanitary products, vocational training, video conferencing with families, legal aid, and support for pregnant and lactating inmates. The Commission has also been inspecting old age homes and orphanages. During a visit to Tau Devi Lal Old Age Home in Gurugram, Justice Batra directed that eligible women residents be linked with government welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Old Age Pension, and Disability Pension. At Swami Shraddhanand Orphanage in Karnal, he interacted with children and praised the institution's Vedic curriculum, calling for similar models elsewhere in the state. To make grievance redressal more accessible, HHRC has started accepting complaints via email (hhrc-hry@ and is conducting bi-monthly Camp Courts in Gurugram for six southern districts, eliminating the need for complainants to travel to Chandigarh or Gurugram.
Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Human rights panel steps in after elderly Gurugram couple found living in neglect
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alarming condition of a 96-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife, who were allegedly neglected by their son, Rajesh Mitra. The couple has reportedly been left to fend for themselves in their home at Ridgewood Estate, DLF City Phase IV, Gurugram, under the care of two untrained female attendants and without any meaningful medical supervision. Acting on a complaint filed by residents and representatives of the Ridgewood Estate Condominium Association, the commission noted that the couple had been living in a state of grave neglect. Residents reported hearing the elderly man frequently cry out in pain, causing emotional distress not only to his wife but also to other senior citizens living nearby. In response, HHRC chairperson Justice Lalit Batra directed the Gurugram deputy commissioner to form a multi-disciplinary team. This team is to include the Gurugram police commissioner, sub-divisional magistrate, civil surgeon, and district social officer. The team has been tasked with visiting the couple's residence to conduct a comprehensive medical, psychological, and social assessment of their condition. The findings must be submitted to the commission before the next hearing on July 3. The commission's order noted that despite multiple appeals made to the son and local authorities, no substantial action had been taken, necessitating the commission's intervention. Justice Batra expressed grave concern over the prolonged physical and mental suffering endured by the elderly couple. He underscored that such neglect amounts to a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to live with dignity. He emphasised that this issue should not be dismissed as a private family matter but recognised as a serious public human rights concern, especially when society and the state fail to protect vulnerable citizens. Justice Batra also referenced the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, particularly Section 20, which obligates the state to ensure adequate healthcare services for senior citizens—such as reserved hospital beds, separate queues, and subsidised treatment. 'If the neglect is found to be intentional, criminal liability under Section 24 of the Act may be invoked against the responsible individual,' Justice Batra added.
