The Protection of Human Rights Act 1993

Subject: Polity

Context: THE DELHI High Court has ruled that Delhi, as a Union Territory, can designate human rights courts in each district

Concept:

The court was hearing a petition filed by an activist, arguing that since Delhi is a ‘Union Territory’ and not a ‘State’ within the meaning of Constitution, the notification specifying a Court of Sessions as a Human Rights Court under The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 can only be issued by the Centre.
It challenged notification last year designating the court of Additional Sessions Judge-2 in each district as a Human Rights Court in Delhi.
The court held that merely because the enactment is a Central legislation, it does not follow that its implementation can only be undertaken by the Central Government.
The court said that for the purpose of Section 30 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, the expression ‘State’ would include the Union Territory.

About the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and NHRC