Appoint special officers to settle Punjab compensation claims: NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission on Monday suggested the appointment of special commissioners to determine compensation for the relatives of police encounters who were allegedly mass cremated in Punjab.

The NHRC ruling came on the objections which the state defence counsel raised on two writ petitions referred to it by the Supreme Court. These pertained to serious allegations about the police's alleged large-scale cremations of victims killed in encounters during the Punjab militancy days.

The Commission also ruled that it can, with the Supreme Court's approval, order payment of compensation to such victims' relatives.

Any such compensation awarded by the Commission shall be binding and payable by the Punjab government and other respondents, the order passed by its chairperson Justice M N Venkatachaliah and members Justice V S Malimath and Virendra Dayal read.

Referring to the contention that no court including the Supreme Court can vest jurisdiction in a forum not contemplated by the statute, the Commission said it discharged its functions under the Supreme Court as its agency.

On another dispute whether the Commission could indeed set up an adjudicatory mechanism to aid speedy disposal of compensation claims, the judges said since a large number of claims were likely to be raised, the Commission needed to augment the logistical capability, including its administrative and judicial personnel, for expeditious settlements.

The additional commissioners may record and process the evidence, conduct inquiries under the Commission's directions and recommend appropriate compensation.

"For all these, special administrative and financial allocations would require to be worked out with the assistance of the state and the Union of India,'' the NHRC ruling said.

UNI

EARLIER STORY:
Ordeal for victims of Punjab encounter deaths continue