NHRC Notice to MeitY on Gleeden: Powers, Composition, Limits
Why in the news
The National Human Rights Commission sent a notice to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology over possible user-safety risks on the dating app Gleeden. The step shows NHRC’s widening role in guarding citizens’ dignity and safety online.
Key facts
- Status: statutory, not constitutional, created by an Act of Parliament.
- Set up: October 12, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
- Paris Principles: its structure follows these international standards for independent national human rights institutions.
- Human rights (PHRA): rights tied to life, liberty, equality and dignity.
Composition
| Post | Who |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | Retired Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge |
| Judicial members | One Supreme Court Judge and one High Court Chief Justice |
| Expert members | Three persons with human rights experience, at least one a woman |
| Ex-officio members | Heads of National Commissions for Minorities, SC, ST, Women, Backward Classes and Child Rights, plus the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities |
Powers and limits
- Civil court-like powers: can summon witnesses and examine documents, but cannot directly punish violators.
- Suo motu: may act on news or social media reports even without a formal complaint.
- One-year rule: no inquiry once a year has passed since the alleged violation.
- Advisory: recommendations are not binding; the government must tell NHRC the action taken within one month.
Exam angle
- Type of body: statutory; governing law: PHRA, 1993.
- Time limit for complaints: one year.
- Related term: Paris Principles; suo motu cognisance.