“Identity Theft of a Constitutional Watchdog” — NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Fake NGOs Misusing Its Name & Logo

(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)

Delhi,19, February ,2026-The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken Suo motu cognizance of the misuse of its name and logo by certain Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) registered under deceptively similar titles, warning that such violations persist despite repeated alerts to authorities.

The Commission cautioned that the continuation of these illusory identity’s risks eroding public trust, enabling misappropriation of funds, and creating confusion between a statutory body and private NGOs.

In a decisive move, notices have been issued to Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police across all States and Union Territories, directing action within two weeks.

Further, specific reports have been sought from Karnataka and Delhi officials regarding an NGO registered as the “National Human Rights Council (NHRC),” accused of using misleading credentials and designations.

The Commission noted that while examining human rights complaints from individuals and NGOs nationwide, it discovered multiple organisations operating under names deceptively resembling its own, thereby undermining its mandate and credibility.

The Commission has taken serious note of a disturbing instance involving the registration and functioning of a non-governmental organisation deceptively styled as “National Human Rights Council (NHRC)”, reportedly registered with the Government of NCT of Delhi in the year 2022.

The Commission observed that the organisation’s publicity material makes sweeping and misleading claims of official recognition, including assertions such as “Registered by Govt. of NITI Aayog”, “Registered by Ministry of Corporate Affairs, India”, “Registered under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India”, and purported association with the “Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Council Association.”

A visiting card linked to the said entity further describes an individual as “Venkatesh, State Chairman, Karnataka,” thereby adopting designations that closely mimic constitutional and statutory offices.

Taking note of the gravity and potential institutional implications of such representations, the Commission has taken Suo motu cognizance of the matter.

It has categorically observed that the adoption of the name “National Human Rights Council” and the use of official-sounding titles such as “Chairman” are inherently misleading, calculated to create public भ्रम (confusion), and are capable of deceiving citizens into believing that such organisations are either integral parts of the National Human Rights Commission or are duly recognised and authorised by it to discharge human rights functions.

The Commission has further recorded that such deceptive nomenclature and structural imitation of statutory bodies have serious ramifications — including erosion of public trust, misuse of institutional mandate, possible misappropriation of funds, and administrative confusion for public authorities in distinguishing between a constitutional/statutory body and private organisations operating under misleading identities.

It has also noted that despite earlier expressions of concern through multiple platforms and formal communications to the concerned authorities regarding the misuse of its name and logo, such violations continue to surface, reflecting a pattern of persistent non-compliance and regulatory evasion.

In view of the continuing violations, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of all States and Union Territories, directing them to:

• Identify NGOs and individuals misusing the name of the National Human Rights Commission or adopting deceptively similar nomenclature;
• Initiate immediate legal action within two weeks;
• Cancel registrations obtained in violation of statutory and regulatory norms; and
• Sensitise registering authorities to exercise due diligence and remain vigilant against such fraudulent entities.

Additionally, in the specific case of the so-called “National Human Rights Council (NHRC)”, the Commission has issued special directions to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Karnataka, and the Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Delhi, calling for status reports within two weeks on the action taken against the NGO — which is registered in Delhi and reportedly operating from Karnataka.

The Commission has made it clear that institutional impersonation, symbolic misrepresentation, and exploitation of public trust under the guise of human rights advocacy will not be tolerated and shall invite strict legal and regulatory consequences.