Latest news with #KSHRC
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
KSHRC steps in over Vanchiyoor slaughterhouse, seeks strict environmental checks by PCB in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With complaints rising against the setting up of a slaughterhouse at the Vanchiyoor market, owned by Karavaram panchayat, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the Kerala State Pollution Control Board to ensure that all environmental norms and guidelines are strictly followed before granting approval to the modern slaughterhouse under construction. KSHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas issued the order while addressing a petition regarding the project. He emphasised that the Pollution Control Board's environmental engineer must inspect the site and consult with relevant stakeholders, including the complainant and Karavaram panchayat secretary, before issuing any clearance. The directive comes in response to a complaint -- filed by S Shaji, a resident of Alamcode, Vanchiyoor -- demanding a halt to the alleged illegal construction of the slaughterhouse. The facility is being developed by the district panchayat. Vanchiyoor ward member V Shibulal alleged that the infrastructure development for the slaughterhouse was launched without getting any clearance. 'They have already invested Rs 1 crore on infrastructure. The development was done on wetland, and it's a clear violation,' he said. According to the district panchayat's submission to the KSHRC, the building is located on land recorded in the data bank, affirming its designated use.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Of 2,899 complaints against police personnel, only 40 referred to Karnataka Human Rights Commission's police wing
The number of complaints alleging human rights violations by police personnel in the State is on the rise. While a total of 5,385 complaints were filed in 2024, the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has already received 2,899 complaints by May 30 this year. However, the police wing, headed by an Additional Director General of Police rank officer - meant to assist the commission by probing such complaints - has been referred only 40 complaints so far this year. This has raised eyebrows, especially given the fact that by the end of May, investigations by the police wing of the Commission have led to the indictment of as many as 15 police personnel. T. Sham Bhat, the acting chairman of the commission, said that only serious cases are referred to the police wing for investigation. 'Many complaints are regarding illegal detention by police personnel in districts outside Bengaluru, where timely intervention is needed. Sending police from here may not serve the purpose. So we refer cases from other districts to respective the Deputy Commissioners. Many complaints also pertain to deaths in prisons, which we refer to senior officials in the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services,' he said. Demand for a full-time chairperson The commission has been without a full-time chairperson for the past 14 months now, and Mr. Bhat has been serving as the acting chairman during the time. Several human rights activists have been demanding the immediate appointment of a full-time chairperson from the state government. 'A chairperson must be appointed without delay, as a headless commission means that the KSHRC is abysmally failing in its duty to protect human rights, especially when the state is the violator. If the Congress government claims fidelity to the Constitution, they must act now, to ensure that the KSHRC becomes functional and the constitutional mandate is fulfilled,' said Arvind Narrain, President, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Karnataka.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KSHRC asks govt. to consider life convict's plea for premature release
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the Home department Secretary to examine the plea of Rajesh, a life convict lodged in Cheemeni Open Jail for over 15 years, for premature release, if found eligible. The KSHRC issued the directive after reviewing the petition filed by Rajesh, a native of Kollengode, Palakkad. The petitioner, convicted in Sessions Case No. 97 by the Palakkad District Sessions Court, pointed out that several other convicts in similar cases were released after serving 14 years. Responding to the Commission, the Superintendent of Cheemeni Open Jail informed that Rajesh's name was recommended for early release in the first Jail Advisory Committee meeting of 2024, and the matter is presently under government consideration.
