₹49.65L Relief Promised as Telangana Acts on NHRC Review
(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Hyderabad, July 29, 2025 — The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India successfully concluded its two-day Open Hearing and Camp Sitting in Hyderabad, focusing on human rights violations in Telangana. Over the course of the sessions, the Commission heard a total of 109 cases, bringing to light critical concerns related to the rights and welfare of vulnerable communities.
During the hearing, the NHRC recommended a total relief amount of ₹49.65 lakh in nine specific cases. Of this, the Telangana State Government has disbursed ₹22.50 lakh, with a formal assurance to release the remaining ₹27.15 lakh shortly, reaffirming its commitment to upholding human rights and delivering justice to affected individuals.
The Commission also engaged in a constructive dialogue with Telangana’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), and other senior officials, emphasizing the need for stronger institutional responses to crimes against women, children, and other vulnerable groups. The sessions aimed at sensitizing state authorities to enhance responsiveness and ensure accountability in cases of rights violations.
In a move to foster collaborative efforts, the NHRC held meaningful interactions with civil society representatives, NGOs, and human rights defenders, reinforcing the importance of partnership between the state and community actors in safeguarding human rights.
The hearings were presided over by NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, and Members Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi and Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani. Also present were Bharat Lal, Secretary General. Meena, Director General (Investigation); Joginder Singh, Registrar (Law); and other senior officials of the Commission, who facilitated the proceedings and ensured a transparent and participatory process.
During the Open Hearing, the Commission heard 90 cases by the two Benches. These pertained to death of children in hospitals due to fire, increasing menace of stray dogs in residential areas, death in fire incident, cases of tiger attacks, trafficking of tribal women, forcible eviction of tribal families, denial of basic human amenities, crime against women including rape, crime against children, police atrocities, suicidal deaths, misappropriation of Dalit Bandhu Scheme Fund, cases of family pension, lack of primary schools, food poisoning in Gurukul schools, malnutrition cases, non-registration of FIR by police, etc.
The Commission, after considering the matters on merits, passed appropriate directions. Some of the many important reliefs given are as under:
In one case of caste-based harassment and a social boycott in Khammam district, following the intervention of the NHRC, the police took action and ensured that the villagers refrained from engaging in caste-based discrimination or enforcing a social boycott against the family.
In a case involving the death of around 48 students and 886 incidents of food poisoning in Gurukul schools in Telangana, the Commission directed the Secretaries of all five Gurukul schools to submit a report within four weeks.
In another case of wrongful arrest and lathi charge by the police, the NHRC directed the state government to submit all relevant documents, including environmental clearance and consent to establish the plant.
In an incident involving the death of four persons in a blast at a DRDO-linked rocket propellant unit, three out of four families have been paid a total amount of Rs. 50 lakh as relief, and the Commission has ordered payment of relief to the remaining victim’s family.
In a case regarding the increasing stray dog menace, which was presented by a 5th standard student, the Commission directed the concerned authorities to come up with an SOP to curb the menace.
In a case regarding the trafficking of tribal women, the erring Constable has been dismissed from the service, and many trafficked tribal women have been rescued.
Later, the Full Bench of the Commission took up 19 pending cases for hearing. In 9 cases out of these, the Commission recommended payment of Rs. 49.65 lakh as monetary relief to the victims. Out of this, Rs. 22.50 lakh has already been paid by the Telangana Government. It has agreed to make the remaining payment of Rs. 27.15 lakh.The Commission closed 29 cases on merit after hearing both the parties. 02 cases were closed after receipt of the compliance report along with proof of payment.
After hearing the cases on 28th July, 2025, the Commission held a meeting with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior officers of the Telangana Government on various aspects of human rights on 29th July, 2025. They were sensitised on the implementation of policies and programmes of the government in such a manner that no one is left out. Emphasis was laid on preventive and systemic steps to be taken so that human rights are not violated. It was underscored that human rights concerns impacted by environment, climate change, and business needed to be addressed.
Issues like crime against women, crime against children, man-animal conflict leading to deaths in many districts of Telangana, large number of children suffering from malnutrition, problems faced by the SC Corporation, lack of government primary schools, the plight of farmers including those engaged in the production of fish seeds, the rights of the LGBTQI community, etc. were discussed.
The Commission appreciated the compliance of its directions by the state functionaries. The officers presented their good practices before the Commission. They were asked to ensure timely submission of reports to the Commission so that justice is ensured to the victims of human rights. Submission of action taken reports on various Advisories of the Commission such as Mental Health, bonded labour, Right to Food & Safety was emphasised. The State Chief Secretary assured full compliance with the Commission’s recommendations.
Following the conclusion of case hearings, the Commission held an interactive session with representatives of civil society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and human rights defenders (HRDs). Reaffirming its collaborative approach, the Commission emphasized its commitment to working in close coordination with State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) and civil society actors to advance the protection and promotion of human rights across the country.
During the interaction, the NGO representatives and HRDs brought attention to a range of pressing issues, including the challenges faced by the elderly, persons with disabilities, bedridden patients, and impoverished children lacking proper identity documentation. A particular concern raised was the need for financial support for caregivers of severely disabled individuals to ensure dignified and sustained care.
The Commission acknowledged and appreciated the valuable contributions of these organizations in addressing grassroots-level human rights concerns in Telangana. It encouraged them to continue their work with courage and independence, assuring them of the Commission’s support in fostering a safe and enabling environment for their efforts.
In his concluding remarks, NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, observed that a sustained partnership between the Commission and civil society would significantly contribute to strengthening the human rights ecosystem in the country. Participants were also informed that complaints of human rights violations can be submitted online via hrcnet.nic.in, enhancing accessibility and transparency.
Dr. Justice Shameem Akther, Chairperson of the Telangana State Human Rights Commission, attended all sessions and interactions, underscoring the joint commitment of national and state-level institutions to uphold human rights.
Subsequently, the Commission briefed the media on the key outcomes and highlights of the Open Hearing and Camp Sitting held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
