IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION WP NO. 5 OF 2008 CHARLES DE SOUZA ... Petitioner Versus STATE OF GOA ... Respondent Petitioner in person. Mr. S. S. Kantak, Advocate General with Ms. R. Chodankar, Addl. Govt. Advocate for the respondents. Coram:- S. C. DHARMADHIKARI & SANTOSH BORA, JJ. Date:- 19th August, 2008 P.C. 1. This is a letter addressed by a student of V.M. Salgaoncar College of Law, Miramar, Goa. 2. The petitioner highlights the fact that the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 have not been implemented in the State of Goa inasmuch as the State Human Rights Commission for Goa has not been constituted. 3. He has highlighted the fact that several States in the Country have recognized the importance of such an enactment and have set up State Commissions, but the State of Goa has been lagging behind in this regard. 4. We are happy to note that a student of law has chosen to highlight this aspect and shown interest in a matter of public importance. Students of Law are expected to be aware of such enactments and vigilant about their implementation. The law students can be really watchdogs in this behalf. Their awareness and interest in taking up such issues would subserve and protect Rule of Law in this Country and the State in particular. Victims of breaches and violations of Human Rights would be assisted by such participation. While prosecuting their legal study and undertaking research, students of law are expected to be aware of their social responsibilities. A law student, in addressing this letter, has indeed rendered a great public service. 5. When this matter was placed before us today, learned Advocate General makes a statement that the Human Rights Commission for the State of Goa will be set up within a period of 3 months from today. We accept this statement. We have no reason to doubt that the State having now realised its duty, would take expeditious steps and constitute such a Commission and make it functional in the true sense of the term. Petition disposed of. S. C. DHARMADHIKARI, J. SANTOSH BORA, J. ssm.