Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant has said that courts must intervene when constitutional rights are violated. Addressing the 33rd Foundation Day of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in New Delhi, Justice Surya Kant said the Constitution makes far-reaching promises to every citizen, including dignity, equality, liberty and justice.

 

He said human rights commissions must investigate complaints, identify systemic failures and ensure that concerns that might otherwise remain unnoticed receive institutional attention.

 

Justice Surya Kant said human rights are closely linked to human dignity and include access to healthcare, food, shelter, livelihood and a clean environment. He expressed confidence that the Commission would continue to strengthen human rights protection and promote justice, dignity and accountability. He highlighted that the NHRC had registered more than 24 lakh cases and disposed of over 23 lakh cases during the past 33 years, achieving a disposal rate of more than 98 per cent.

 

The Chief Justice said the launch of the NHRC India mobile application would make the Commission more accessible, enabling citizens to file complaints, track their progress and access information easily. He added that the Commission’s interventions in cases involving custodial torture or deaths, bonded labour, industrial exploitation and the protection of the rights of marginalised communities demonstrated its important role in safeguarding human rights.