Lok Sabha Question No. 1548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Complaints received by NHRC
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1548

TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  THE  20 TH   SEPTEMBER,  2020/  BHADRAPADA 29, 1942 (SAKA)

## COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY NHRC

1548. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of complaints received by the National Human Rights Commission  (NHRC)  regarding  alleged  harassment  of  human  rights defenders  during  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year  so  far, State/UT-wise;
- (b) the  number  of  such  cases  where  the  NHRC  recommended compensation  or  release  of  human  rights  defenders  during  the  said period, State/UT-wise;
- (c)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  some  human  rights  defenders  were targeted by the NSO Group's Pegasus spyware in 2019 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure protection of human rights defenders?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): As per information available with National  Human Rights Commission (NHRC), State/UT wise data in respect of  the number of complaints received by NHRC regarding alleged harassment of human rights(HR) defenders during the last three years and the current year till 31.08.2020 is at Annexure 'A'.

(b): As reported, NHRC made recommendation for monetary relief of Rs. 13.25  lakh    in  five  cases  (one  each  from  Bihar,  Karnataka,  West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Tamilnadu) during last three years and the current  year    till  31.08.2020.  However,  release  of  HR  defenders  is  a matter within the jurisdiction of respective Hon'ble Court.

- (c): No such information is available with this Ministry.

(d): NHRC has a  dedicated  focal  point  for  receiving  and  examining complaints about alleged violation of Human Rights of HR defenders. The  complaints  are  processed  on  priority  and  taken  up  with  the authorities concerned in the State Government for ensuring protection to the HR defenders as well as redressal of their grievances.

******

Statement  in  respect  of  part  (a)  of  LokSabhaUnstarred  Question  No.  1548  for 20.09.2020 showing state- wise total no. of complaints received by NHRC regarding alleged harassment of human rights defenders during the last three years and the current year  till 31.08.2020.

| Sr.No.   | State/UT Name     | 2017-18                      | 2018-19                      | 2019-20                      | 2020-21                                      |
|----------|-------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Sr.No.   | State/UT Name     | No. of Complaints registered | No. of Complaints registered | No. of Complaints registered | No. of Complaints registered upto 31.08.2020 |
| 1        | ANDHRA PRADESH    | 3                            | 0                            | 1                            | 3                                            |
| 2        | ASSAM             | 10                           | 3                            | 3                            | 1                                            |
| 3        | BIHAR             | 1                            | 3                            | 3                            | 0                                            |
| 4        | CHANDIGARH        | 1                            | 0                            | 0                            | 0                                            |
| 5        | CHHATTISGARH      | 1                            | 4                            | 1                            | 0                                            |
| 6        | DELHI             | 0                            | 4                            | 6                            | 2                                            |
| 7        | FOREIGN COUNTRIES | 1                            | 0                            | 0                            | 0                                            |
| 8        | GUJARAT           | 3                            | 2                            | 4                            | 4                                            |
| 9        | HARYANA           | 2                            | 1                            | 1                            | 0                                            |
| 10       | HIMACHAL PRADESH  | 1                            | 1                            | 0                            | 1                                            |
| 11       | JAMMU & KASHMIR   | 0                            | 0                            | 2                            | 2                                            |
| 12       | JHARKHAND         | 3                            | 4                            | 4                            | 0                                            |
| 13       | KARNATAKA         | 7                            | 3                            | 6                            | 1                                            |
| 14       | KERALA            | 0                            | 2                            | 1                            | 1                                            |
| 15       | MADHYA PRADESH    | 3                            | 2                            | 3                            | 2                                            |
| 16       | MAHARASHTRA       | 2                            | 4                            | 6                            | 1                                            |
| 17       | MANIPUR           | 3                            | 7                            | 2                            | 3                                            |
| 18       | MEGHALAYA         | 1                            | 2                            | 0                            | 0                                            |
| 19       | MIZORAM           | 0                            | 1                            | 0                            | 0                                            |
| 20       | ODISHA            | 7                            | 10                           | 5                            | 4                                            |
| 21       | PUNJAB            | 1                            | 2                            | 1                            | 0                                            |
| 22       | RAJASTHAN         | 2                            | 2                            | 7                            | 3                                            |
| 23       | TAMIL NADU        | 15                           | 6                            | 11                           | 1                                            |
| 24       | TELANGANA         | 1                            | 2                            | 4                            | 1                                            |
| 25       | TRIPURA           | 0                            | 1                            | 0                            | 0                                            |
| 26       | UTTAR PRADESH     | 3                            | 15                           | 26                           | 8                                            |
| 27       | UTTARAKHAND       | 0                            | 0                            | 1                            | 0                                            |
| 28       | WEST BENGAL       | 2                            | 8                            | 7                            | 1                                            |
| 29       | TOTAL             | 73                           | 89                           | 105                          | 39                                           |