Justice V Ramasubramanian Assumes Charge as Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission

Justice V Ramasubramanian Assumes

 Charge as Chairperson of 

National Human Rights Commission


The esteemed former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice V Ramasubramanian, assumed charge as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on December 25, 2024. Alongside him, Justice (Dr.) Vidyut Ranjan Sarangi joined as a Member of the NHRC. Their appointments were confirmed by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on December 21, 2024.

Inaugural Address: Upholding India’s Human Rights Legacy

In his first address as Chairperson, Justice Ramasubramanian highlighted India’s ancient tradition of human rights, citing the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, who espoused the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity long before these concepts gained global recognition. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to promote and protect human rights effectively.

A Distinguished Legal Career: Justice V Ramasubramanian

Early Life and Education

Born on June 30, 1958, in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, Justice Ramasubramanian pursued his BSc in Chemistry from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai, and later completed his law degree at Madras Law College.

Legal and Judicial Journey

Justice Ramasubramanian began his legal career in 1983, practicing for 23 years in the Madras High Court. His judicial milestones include:

  • Appointed Additional Judge of the Madras High Court in 2006; elevated to Permanent Judge in 2009.
  • Transferred to the High Court of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in 2016 and later served in the Telangana High Court post-bifurcation.
  • Became Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2019.
  • Appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India in 2019, authoring 102 landmark judgments before retiring on June 29, 2023.

Landmark Judgments

His notable contributions include decisions on:

  1. The 2016 Demonetization policy.
  2. The validity of circumstantial evidence in bribery cases.

Justice Vidyut Ranjan Sarangi: An Eminent Jurist

Early Life and Education

Justice (Dr.) Vidyut Ranjan Sarangi was born on July 20, 1962, in Nayagarh district, Odisha. A distinguished scholar, he holds an LLB and LLM from MS Law College, Cuttack, and a PhD in Law from Sambalpur University.

Legal and Judicial Milestones

  • Began practicing law in 1985, specializing in civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative matters for over 27 years.
  • Recognized with the Haricharan Mukherjee Memorial Award and a Gold Medal in 2002.
  • Appointed Permanent Judge of the Orissa High Court in 2013, where he authored 1,500 judgments and disposed of over 152,000 cases.
  • Became Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court in July 2024.

Contributions to Legal Committees

Justice Sarangi actively participated in several legal and administrative initiatives, including:

  • Odisha State Legal Services Authority.
  • Juvenile Justice Committee.
  • National and international legal organizations.


Constitutional Provisions, Powers, and Functions of the NHRC Chairperson

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) derives its mandate from the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (PHRA). While the NHRC is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution, its creation aligns with India's commitment to protect human rights, as envisioned under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.

Constitutional Provisions Supporting NHRC

  • Article 14: Equality before the law.
  • Article 19: Freedom of speech and expression, essential for the promotion of human rights.
  • Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty, the cornerstone of human rights.

Powers of the Chairperson

As the Chairperson of the NHRC, Justice V Ramasubramanian holds significant responsibilities:

  1. Inquiring into Violations: Oversee complaints of human rights violations by public authorities and recommend corrective measures.
  2. Suo Motu Actions: Initiate inquiries in the absence of formal complaints, based on media reports or other credible sources.
  3. Advisory Role: Advise the central and state governments on measures to improve human rights protections.
  4. Judicial Authority: Head inquiries with quasi-judicial powers, including summoning individuals and requisitioning documents.

Functions of the NHRC

  1. Investigation: Inquire into complaints of human rights violations or negligence in preventing such violations.
  2. Research and Advocacy: Promote awareness of human rights through publications, research, and educational programs.
  3. Policy Recommendations: Suggest reforms to laws or policies to ensure better protection of human rights.
  4. Coordination with NGOs: Collaborate with human rights organizations for outreach and advocacy efforts.


The Vision Ahead for NHRC

Under the leadership of Justice Ramasubramanian and Justice Sarangi, the NHRC aims to strengthen its mandate to:

  • Ensure the protection of human rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
  • Address human rights violations through a collaborative approach involving governments, civil society, and citizens.
  • Uphold India’s legacy of justice and equality while adapting to modern challenges.

This marks a significant chapter in India’s journey to uphold and safeguard human dignity on a global scale.

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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