{"id":363269,"date":"2025-10-10T12:30:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T07:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=363269"},"modified":"2025-10-10T12:13:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T06:43:28","slug":"revisiting-the-nature-of-nhrcs-compensation-directives-binding-mandate-or-advisory-suggestion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/10\/10\/revisiting-the-nature-of-nhrcs-compensation-directives-binding-mandate-or-advisory-suggestion\/","title":{"rendered":"Revisiting the Nature of NHRC&#8217;s Compensation Directives: Binding Mandate or Advisory Suggestion?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Recently, the State Government of Kerala has filed a petition before the Kerala High Court challenging the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) order which directed it to pay Rs 7 lakhs as compensation to the family of J.S. Sidharthan.<a id=\"fnref1\" href=\"#fn1\" title=\"1. &#8220;Sidharthan's Death: HC Directs State to Deposit Rs 7 Lakh as Compensation to Family&#8221;, The Hindu (thehindu.com, 2-7-2025).\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/a> Sidharthan was a second year Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) student at the Pookode campus of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University who was found dead allegedly following ragging.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">He was found hanging in the bathroom of the college hostel on 18-2-2024. 19 students were arrested following the incident. An anti-ragging squad of the college investigated the case, and its report confirmed that J.S. Sidharthan was subjected to brutal physical abuse.<a id=\"fnref2\" href=\"#fn2\" title=\"2. Kanthanathan R. v. State of Kerala, 2025 SCC OnLine Ker 4389.\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/a> The investigation was later probed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which corroborated the findings of the anti-ragging squad by stating in the charge-sheet that the victim was harassed continuously for two days before his death.<a id=\"fnref3\" href=\"#fn3\" title=\"3. &#8220;Ragging and Death of Sidharthan: Government Moves Kerala HC Against NHRC's Order for Compensation&#8221;, The Times of India (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 28-6-2025).\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Simultaneously, a complaint before the NHRC bearing the case number 100\/11\/14\/2024 was filed on 7-3-2024<a id=\"fnref4\" href=\"#fn4\" title=\"4. Sandeep Vaachaspati v. State of Kerala, Case No. 100\/11\/14\/2024, available at https:\/\/www.hrcnet.nic.in\/HRCNet\/public\/CaseStatus.aspx (Last visited on 5-7-2025).\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a>. On 1-10-2024, the NHRC directed a monetary compensation of 7 lakhs to be paid by the State Government to next of kin (NOK) of the deceased. The same was not complied with leading to summons being enforced, prompting the State Government to file this petition.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The main contention of the Kerala Government is the lack of power vested in NHRC to order compensation directives. This rekindles the discussion on the subject whether Section<\/span> 18<a id=\"fnref5\" href=\"#fn5\" title=\"5. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 18.\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a> of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993<a id=\"fnref6\" href=\"#fn6\" title=\"6. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a> empowers the NHRC to direct legally binding obligations or mere recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Guardians of rights: Understanding the role of the NHRC<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">NHRC is an independent statutory body established under Section<\/span> 3 of the<\/span> Protection of Human Rights Act<\/span>, 1993.<a id=\"fnref7\" href=\"#fn7\" title=\"7. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 3.\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a> The Commission acts as a watchdog for human rights in India, safeguarding the fundamental rights to life, liberty, equality and individual dignity. Section<\/span> 2(1)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">d<\/span>) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (the Act) defines human rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the<\/span> Constitution of India<a id=\"fnref8\" href=\"#fn8\" title=\"8. Constitution of India.\"><sup>8<\/sup><\/a>, or embodied in the international covenants and enforceable by courts in India.<a id=\"fnref9\" href=\"#fn9\" title=\"9. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 2(1)(d).\"><sup>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Therefore, constitutional rights like Article 14<a id=\"fnref10\" href=\"#fn10\" title=\"10. Constitution of India, Art. 14.\"><sup>10<\/sup><\/a> (right to equality), Article 15<a id=\"fnref11\" href=\"#fn11\" title=\"11. Constitution of India, Art. 15.\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a> (right against discrimination), Article 17<a id=\"fnref12\" href=\"#fn12\" title=\"12. Constitution of India, Art. 17.\"><sup>12<\/sup><\/a> (right against untouchability), Article 19<a id=\"fnref13\" href=\"#fn13\" title=\"13. Constitution of India, Art. 19.\"><sup>13<\/sup><\/a> (right to freedom of speech), Article 21<a id=\"fnref14\" href=\"#fn14\" title=\"14. Constitution of India, Art. 21.\"><sup>14<\/sup><\/a> (right to life) and Article 23<a id=\"fnref15\" href=\"#fn15\" title=\"15. Constitution of India, Art. 23.\"><sup>15<\/sup><\/a> (right against trafficking) are sought to be protected by NHRC.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">These rights are parallel to the ones enshrined under international covenants like Paris Principles, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)<a id=\"fnref16\" href=\"#fn16\" title=\"16. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.\"><sup>16<\/sup><\/a>, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)<a id=\"fnref17\" href=\"#fn17\" title=\"17. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966.\"><sup>17<\/sup><\/a>, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)<a id=\"fnref18\" href=\"#fn18\" title=\"18. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1976.\"><sup>18<\/sup><\/a> and European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)<a id=\"fnref19\" href=\"#fn19\" title=\"19. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 1950.\"><sup>19<\/sup><\/a>. India is a signatory to or has ratified most of these conventions.<a id=\"fnref20\" href=\"#fn20\" title=\"20. United Nations Human Rights Treaties Bodies, Ratification Status for India, (tbinternet.ohchr).\"><sup>20<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">These international conventions gain relevance to the current discussion particularly because of Articles<\/span> 51 and<\/span> 253 of the<\/span> Indian Constitution which states that the State shall endeavour to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations.<a id=\"fnref21\" href=\"#fn21\" title=\"21. Constitution of India, Art. 51; Constitution of India, Art. 253.\"><sup>21<\/sup><\/a> The significance of such covenants has been highlighted by numerous cases as well.<a id=\"fnref22\" href=\"#fn22\" title=\"22. Apparel Export Promotion Council v. A.K. Chopra, (1999) 1 SCC 759.\"><sup>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Understanding the statutory procedure governing NHRC<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Chapter II of the Act covers the Constitution and composition of the NHRC. Sections 6 and 8 lays down the tenure, terms and conditions of the Chairperson and other members of the NHRC.<a id=\"fnref23\" href=\"#fn23\" title=\"23. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Ss. 6 and 8.\"><sup>23<\/sup><\/a> Chapter III lays down the function and powers of the Commission. Section 12 is the most comprehensive section which locates the ambit of power provided to the Commission. This includes inquiring into human rights violations suo motu, on petitions or court directions. The section further empowers the Commission to intervene in court cases with approval and inspect jail or detention facilities to check living conditions.<a id=\"fnref24\" href=\"#fn24\" title=\"24. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 12.\"><sup>24<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Section 13 of the Act endows NHRC with powers of a civil court under the<\/span> Civil Procedure Code, 1908<a id=\"fnref25\" href=\"#fn25\" title=\"25. Civil Procedure Code, 1908.\"><sup>25<\/sup><\/a> vis-&agrave;-vis conducting enquiries. This includes summoning and examining witnesses, compelling production of documents, receiving evidence via affidavits, etc. A proceeding under NHRC is a deemed judicial proceeding.<a id=\"fnref26\" href=\"#fn26\" title=\"26. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 13.\"><sup>26<\/sup><\/a> Section 18 of the Act lays down the procedure to be taken during or after an inquiry. Upon finding of a violation of human rights or negligence in preventing one, the Commission can recommend the Government concerned to make a monetary compensation to the victim or NOK, initiate proceedings for prosecution or take any action it deems fit.<a id=\"fnref27\" href=\"#fn27\" title=\"27. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 18.\"><sup>27<\/sup><\/a> Furthermore, a recommendation of monetary compensation as an interim relief can be made at any stage of the inquiry by the Commission as per Section 18(3).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">However, judicial fraternity is divided over the question whether these directives are legally binding obligations despite the explicit usage of the term &#8220;recommendation&#8221;. An analysis of several judicial decisions shall throw a light upon the discourse.<\/p>\n<h2>Judicial interpretation of NHRC&#8217;s directions as advisory<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Section 18 of the Act uses the expression &#8220;may recommend to the authority concerned&#8221;. The word &#8220;recommendation&#8221; refers to an action which is advisory in nature rather than one having any binding effect. By deploying literal rule of interpretation on the same, it is abundantly clear that after concluding an inquiry, if the Commission determines that a human rights violation has occurred, it may recommend that the Government concerned provide compensation. However, the Commission would lack the power and jurisdiction to issue a binding order.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Chhattisgarh High Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Chhattisgarh SEB<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Chhattisgarh Human Rights Commission<\/span> came to the conclusion that under Section 18, the State Human Rights Commission&#8217;s powers are only recommendatory in nature.<a id=\"fnref28\" href=\"#fn28\" title=\"28. 2017 SCC OnLine Chh 1415.\"><sup>28<\/sup><\/a> It relied on <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">N.C. Dhoundial<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><a id=\"fnref29\" href=\"#fn29\" title=\"29. (2004) 2 SCC 579.\"><sup>29<\/sup><\/a> and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rajesh Das<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">T.N. State Human Rights Commission<\/span>, wherein by employing textualist mode of interpretation and holistically reading Sections 12, 13, 17<a id=\"fnref30\" href=\"#fn30\" title=\"30. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 17.\"><sup>30<\/sup><\/a> and 18 of the Act, it was concluded that the Commission possesses the power to only make recommendations and no directions.<a id=\"fnref31\" href=\"#fn31\" title=\"31. 2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.\"><sup>31<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">External aids of statutory interpretation, such as Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Act<a id=\"fnref32\" href=\"#fn32\" title=\"32. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Statement of Objects and Reasons; Rajesh Das case, 2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543, para 14.\"><sup>32<\/sup><\/a>, were also considered to deduce that the legislature intended the Commission to function solely as a fact-finding body, empowered to inquire into complaints of human rights violation and not an adjudicatory authority. This was later reiterated by the Chhattisgarh High Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Girdhari Lal Chandrakar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Chhattisgarh<\/span><a id=\"fnref33\" href=\"#fn33\" title=\"33. 2021 SCC OnLine Chh 2706.\"><sup>33<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Chhattisgarh SEB<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">case<\/span><a id=\"fnref34\" href=\"#fn34\" title=\"34. 2017 SCC OnLine Chh 1415.\"><sup>34<\/sup><\/a> further relies upon <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ram Krishna Dalmia<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">S.R. Tendolkar<\/span> and draws an analogy to the functioning of Enquiry Commission constituted under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.<a id=\"fnref35\" href=\"#fn35\" title=\"35. 1958 SCC OnLine SC 6; Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.\"><sup>35<\/sup><\/a> It is stated therein that the sole purpose of these Commissions is to investigate and recommend so that there is no usurpation of judicial power.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Several other High Courts have followed the lead and reiterated the above findings on similar rationale. The Orissa High Court, for example, in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Odisha<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Radhakanta Tripathy<\/span> held that the Commission can only &#8220;recommend&#8221; compensation under Section 18 of the Act.<a id=\"fnref36\" href=\"#fn36\" title=\"36. 2022 SCC OnLine Ori 2097.\"><sup>36<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Malabar Cements Ltd<\/span><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">K. Baburajan<\/span> held that the Commission does not possess unlimited powers and is circumscribed by statutory limits.<a id=\"fnref37\" href=\"#fn37\" title=\"37. 2019 SCC OnLine Ker 2376.\"><sup>37<\/sup><\/a> Thus, going by the statutory language used, the directives under Section 18 are only recommendary. Furthermore, a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">C. Girish Naik<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span> reiterated that State Commissions can only recommend and not direct State Government for action against policemen.<a id=\"fnref38\" href=\"#fn38\" title=\"38. 2024 SCC OnLine Kar 25.\"><sup>38<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Judicial recognition of NHRC&#8217;s binding powers<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The most recent judgment upon this issue is <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State (NCT of Delhi)<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">NHRC<\/span> which was decided by the Delhi High Court on February 24th this year. The petitioner in this case is the Commissioner of Police who was found negligent by the NHRC for non-registration of a first information report (FIR) in a case wherein the information given by the complainant clearly exposed occurrence of cognizable offences. The final order of the Commission was assailed by the petitioner on merits, which was later dismissed. However, the judgment mentioned in passing that the recommendations made by the NHRC under Section 18 of the Act were binding in nature.<a id=\"fnref39\" href=\"#fn39\" title=\"39. 2025 SCC OnLine Del 1218, para 17.\"><sup>39<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Reliance was placed upon a Division Bench judgment of the same Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kiran Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">NHRC<\/span>. Herein, the petitioner was the father of the deceased who was allegedly killed in a fake encounter by Delhi Police Special Cell. The petitioner preferred a complaint before NHRC which directed for a magisterial inquiry and a CBI probe later. However, both were ignored and delayed by the authorities. The Commission later directed payment of Rs 5 lakhs to NOK of the deceased which was never paid. Thus, the main issue before the Court was to examine the binding nature of NHRC directives on compensation and inquiries. It held that the recommendations would be legally binding obligations lest the Commission&#8217;s existence is rendered otiose.<a id=\"fnref40\" href=\"#fn40\" title=\"40. 2025 SCC OnLine Del 430, para 59.\"><sup>40<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Other High Courts have adopted similar approach in this matter. A Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court comprising Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud and Yashwant Varma, JJ., had an opportunity to adjudicate upon the same in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">NHRC<\/span><a id=\"fnref41\" href=\"#fn41\" title=\"41. 2016 SCC OnLine All 239.\"><sup>41<\/sup><\/a>. The basic question remained whether the expression &#8220;recommend&#8221; in Section 18(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">a<\/span>) of the Act could be regarded by the authorities as a mere opinion than can be ignored with impunity. The Court observed that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; font-size: 12.5pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">16.<\/span> &#8230; to place such a construction on the expression &#8220;recommend&#8221; would dilute the efficacy of the Commission and defeat the statutory object underlying the constitution of such a body.<\/p>\n<p>Continuing, the Court emphasised that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; font-size: 12.5pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">16.<\/span> An authority or a Government which is aggrieved by the order of the Commission is entitled to challenge the order. Since no appeal is provided by the Act against an order of the Commission, the power of judicial review is available when an order of the Commission is questioned.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A later Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court had reached the same conclusion in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">U.P. Human Rights Commission<\/span><a id=\"fnref42\" href=\"#fn42\" title=\"42. 2019 SCC OnLine All 7160.\"><sup>42<\/sup><\/a>. Similarly, a Single Judge Bench of the Bombay High Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Chandrakant Dashrath Vadgule<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Maharashtra<\/span> held likewise.<a id=\"fnref43\" href=\"#fn43\" title=\"43. 2024 SCC OnLine Bom 1838.\"><sup>43<\/sup><\/a> The judgment placed reliance on the Full Bench judgment of the Madras High Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Abdul Sathar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State<\/span><a id=\"fnref44\" href=\"#fn44\" title=\"44. 2021 SCC OnLine Mad 16611.\"><sup>44<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Full Bench was tasked with resolving conflict of views between two Single Bench judgments of the Madras High Court, viz. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rajesh Das<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">case<\/span><a id=\"fnref45\" href=\"#fn45\" title=\"45. 2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.\"><sup>45<\/sup><\/a> and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">T. Vijayakumar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Madhavi<\/span><a id=\"fnref46\" href=\"#fn46\" title=\"46. &#8220;&#8217;Amend! Make Human Rights Act a Complete Code&#8217;, HC suggests to collective wisdom of Parliament: Read point-wise analysis of 517-pages long judgment holding recommendations of Human Rights Commission are binding on Govt., legally e&#9;nforceable&#8220; SCC Times (scconline.com, 8 February, 2021).\"><sup>46<\/sup><\/a>. Upon perusal of both of the cases, the Full Bench concluded that the NHRC&#8217;s recommendation amounts to an adjudicatory order. The Government is legally obligated to respond with comments and details of action taken, as per Section 18(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">e<\/span>), making the recommendation legally and immediately enforceable.<\/p>\n<h2>Binding versus recommendatory: Which interpretation best serves human rights?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The issue in this legal situation is the absence of a clear constitutional directive regarding the binding nature of High Court precedents. While it is trite law that Article<\/span> 141 of the<\/span> Constitution of India mandates that the Supreme Court rulings are binding on all courts in India<a id=\"fnref47\" href=\"#fn47\" title=\"47. East India Commercial Co. Ltd. v. Collector of Customs, 1962 SCC OnLine SC 142; Constitution of India, Art. 141.\"><sup>47<\/sup><\/a>, no equivalent provision exists for High Court decisions, leaving a legal void unaddressed by the Supreme Court. In fact, it is well-established that a High Court&#8217;s decision is not binding on other High Courts and holds only persuasive value.<a id=\"fnref48\" href=\"#fn48\" title=\"48. Valliamma Champaka Pillai v. Sivathanu Pillai, (1979) 4 SCC 429.\"><sup>48<\/sup><\/a> Therefore, a judicial pronouncement from the Supreme Court is really necessary to fill this legal lacuna.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>However, in contemporary times, I believe the NHRC directives should be seen as binding for three key reasons:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(1) Under Section 18(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">c<\/span>) of the Act, in addition to Section 18(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">a<\/span>), the NHRC can grant compensation as interim relief during an ongoing inquiry. By taking a purposive interpretation, this power to recommend &#8220;immediate&#8221; relief should be viewed as binding, not discretionary, as the term &#8220;immediate&#8221; implies prompt and obligatory compliance. Treating it as merely advisory would undermine its intent and effectiveness.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(2) The catena of cases that held the directives to be recommendatory erroneous relies upon <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">N.C. Dhoundial<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">case<\/span><a id=\"fnref49\" href=\"#fn49\" title=\"49. (2004) 2 SCC 579.\"><sup>49<\/sup><\/a>, to downplay the binding nature of NHRC recommendations. The Supreme Court&#8217;s observations therein were made specifically in the context of Section 36<a id=\"fnref50\" href=\"#fn50\" title=\"50. Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 36.\"><sup>50<\/sup><\/a> of the Act, which limits the Commission&#8217;s jurisdiction based on time and other procedural constraints. It is therefore inappropriate and decontextualised to apply this reasoning to Section 18 which deals with the Commission&#8217;s power to recommend relief and compensation. These provisions operate independently and are meant to ensure immediate and effective redress, underscoring a more binding character.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(3) Similarly, these cases place reliance upon <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rajesh Das<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">case<\/span><a id=\"fnref51\" href=\"#fn51\" title=\"51. 2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.\"><sup>51<\/sup><\/a>, wherein the Single Judge Bench had set aside the compensation granted by the State Human Rights Commission. However, in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Abdul Sathar<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">case<\/span><a id=\"fnref52\" href=\"#fn52\" title=\"52. 2021 SCC OnLine Mad 16611.\"><sup>52<\/sup><\/a>, the Madras High Court reviewed <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rajesh Das case<\/span><a id=\"fnref53\" href=\"#fn53\" title=\"53. 2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.\"><sup>53<\/sup><\/a> decision and held that such recommendations are binding in nature. Therefore, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rajesh Das case<\/span><a id=\"fnref54\" href=\"#fn54\" title=\"54. 2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.\"><sup>54<\/sup><\/a> has been effectively overruled.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Therefore, the reliance on <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">N.C. Dhoundial case<\/span><a id=\"fnref55\" href=\"#fn55\" title=\"55. (2004) 2 SCC 579.\"><sup>55<\/sup><\/a> and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rajesh Das case<\/span><a id=\"fnref56\" href=\"#fn56\" title=\"56. 2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.\"><sup>56<\/sup><\/a> to support the view that NHRC recommendations are non-binding lacks persuasive legal grounding and fails to withstand closer judicial scrutiny.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">By recognising the enforceability of NHRC recommendations, the High Courts have strengthened the protection of human rights, assuring citizens that the legal system is committed to upholding their dignity and interests. This role resonated with the expectations of the common person, who sees the judiciary as a true avenue for justice. While the NHRC&#8217;s website states that its recommendations are not binding<a id=\"fnref57\" href=\"#fn57\" title=\"57. National Human Rights Commission, From the Editor's Desk (nhrc.nic.in).\"><sup>57<\/sup><\/a>, this stance must evolve. It should reflect the reasoned approach adopted by several High Courts, which underscores that treating such recommendations as binding would significantly advance the cause of human rights and place them on a more luminous and effective path.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">*&#9;Fourth year student, The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata. Author can be reached at: <a href=\"mailto:amritansh222025@nujs.edu\" target=\"_blank\">amritansh222025@nujs.edu<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn1\" href=\"#fnref1\">1.<\/a> &#8220;Sidharthan&#8217;s Death: HC Directs State to Deposit Rs 7 Lakh as Compensation to Family&#8221;, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Hindu<\/span> (thehindu.com, 2-7-2025).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn2\" href=\"#fnref2\">2.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/zZirA7et\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kanthanathan R.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Kerala<\/span>, 2025 SCC OnLine Ker 4389.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn3\" href=\"#fnref3\">3.<\/a> &#8220;Ragging and Death of Sidharthan: Government Moves Kerala HC Against NHRC&#8217;s Order for Compensation&#8221;, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Times of India<\/span> (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 28-6-2025).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn4\" href=\"#fnref4\">4.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sandeep Vaachaspati<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Kerala<\/span>, Case No. 100\/11\/14\/2024, available at https:\/\/www.hrcnet.nic.in\/HRCNet\/public\/CaseStatus.aspx (Last visited on 5-7-2025).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn5\" href=\"#fnref5\">5.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/9PLXQU08\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 18.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn6\" href=\"#fnref6\">6.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2K2MTxa4\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn7\" href=\"#fnref7\">7.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/dB6A359y\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 3.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn8\" href=\"#fnref8\">8.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Uei3bEDC\">Constitution of India.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn9\" href=\"#fnref9\">9.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/m79saF87\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 2(1)(<\/span><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">d<\/span>).<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn10\" href=\"#fnref10\">10.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/h7G5KbD4\">Constitution of India, Art. 14.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn11\" href=\"#fnref11\">11.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/9etOajU7\">Constitution of India, Art. 15.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn12\" href=\"#fnref12\">12.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/GMP63muX\">Constitution of India, Art. 17.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn13\" href=\"#fnref13\">13.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/74roly04\">Constitution of India, Art. 19.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn14\" href=\"#fnref14\">14.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/VN1u87S9\">Constitution of India, Art. 21.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn15\" href=\"#fnref15\">15.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1RoWjnWY\">Constitution of India, Art. 23.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn16\" href=\"#fnref16\">16.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/BNEbfDpI\">Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn17\" href=\"#fnref17\">17.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/79ZxK20m\">International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn18\" href=\"#fnref18\">18.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8E823A0U\">International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1976.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn19\" href=\"#fnref19\">19.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/lJoFI14C\">Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 1950.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn20\" href=\"#fnref20\">20.<\/a> United Nations Human Rights Treaties Bodies, Ratification Status for India, (tbinternet.ohchr).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn21\" href=\"#fnref21\">21.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0k1WtWgV\">Constitution of India, Art. 51<\/span><\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/61pY4yl7\">Constitution of India, Art. 253.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn22\" href=\"#fnref22\">22.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0CdrnrUU\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Apparel Export Promotion Council<\/span><\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">A.K. Chopra<\/span>, (1999) 1 SCC 759.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn23\" href=\"#fnref23\">23.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2K2MTxa4\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Ss. 6 and 8.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn24\" href=\"#fnref24\">24.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/m5l8I3pE\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 12.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn25\" href=\"#fnref25\">25.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/fW5E2p7z\">Civil Procedure Code, 1908.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn26\" href=\"#fnref26\">26.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/72gQKxSU\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 13.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn27\" href=\"#fnref27\">27.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/9PLXQU08\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 18.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn28\" href=\"#fnref28\">28.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uiaQx4t4\">2017 SCC OnLine Chh 1415.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn29\" href=\"#fnref29\">29.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/342QeGXd\">(2004) 2 SCC 579.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn30\" href=\"#fnref30\">30.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/4003r01k\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 17.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn31\" href=\"#fnref31\">31.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Vb6ulC8A\">2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn32\" href=\"#fnref32\">32.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/42232397\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Statement of Objects and Reasons<\/span><\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Vb6ulC8A\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rajesh Das<\/span><\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">case<\/span>, 2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543, para 14.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn33\" href=\"#fnref33\">33.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uBoLj533\">2021 SCC OnLine Chh 2706.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn34\" href=\"#fnref34\">34.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uiaQx4t4\">2017 SCC OnLine Chh 1415.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn35\" href=\"#fnref35\">35.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/U4dFrJg7\">1958 SCC OnLine SC 6;<\/span> <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7T82ft0j\">Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn36\" href=\"#fnref36\">36.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2qyj3Hi4\">2022 SCC OnLine Ori 2097.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-style: italic;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn37\" href=\"#fnref37\">37.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/VrWVj818\">2019 SCC OnLine Ker 2376.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn38\" href=\"#fnref38\">38.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/a8gKk59a\">2024 SCC OnLine Kar 25.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn39\" href=\"#fnref39\">39.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/rw4QhMQw\">2025 SCC OnLine Del 1218, para 17.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn40\" href=\"#fnref40\">40.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/PT2YOJcS\">2025 SCC OnLine Del 430, para 59.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-style: italic;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn41\" href=\"#fnref41\">41.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/g3kao606\">2016 SCC OnLine All 239.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn42\" href=\"#fnref42\">42.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/9jLT3YvK\">2019 SCC OnLine All 7160.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn43\" href=\"#fnref43\">43.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/eOPJqMUG\">2024 SCC OnLine Bom 1838.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn44\" href=\"#fnref44\">44.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/XvaB07OT\">2021 SCC OnLine Mad 16611.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn45\" href=\"#fnref45\">45.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Vb6ulC8A\">2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn46\" href=\"#fnref46\">46.<\/a> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; text-underline-style: solid; text-underline-mode: continuous; text-underline-color: #0000ff; color: #0000ff;\">&#8220;&#8217;Amend! Make Human Rights Act a Complete Code&#8217;, HC suggests to collective wisdom of Parliament: Read point-wise analysis of 517-pages long judgment holding recommendations of Human Rights Commission are binding on Govt., legally e&#9;nforceable&#8220; SCC Times (scconline.com, 8 February, 2021).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn47\" href=\"#fnref47\">47.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8FHUMT5h\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">East India Commercial Co. Ltd.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Collector of Customs<\/span>, 1962 SCC OnLine SC 142;<\/span><\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/42L90IU1\">Constitution of India, Art. 141.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn48\" href=\"#fnref48\">48.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/w0q8Q666\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Valliamma Champaka Pillai<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sivathanu Pillai<\/span>, (1979) 4 SCC 429.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn49\" href=\"#fnref49\">49.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/342QeGXd\">(2004) 2 SCC 579.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn50\" href=\"#fnref50\">50.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/GC9Um67w\">Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, S. 36.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn51\" href=\"#fnref51\">51.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Vb6ulC8A\">2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn52\" href=\"#fnref52\">52.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/XvaB07OT\">2021 SCC OnLine Mad 16611.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn53\" href=\"#fnref53\">53.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Vb6ulC8A\">2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn54\" href=\"#fnref54\">54.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Vb6ulC8A\">2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn55\" href=\"#fnref55\">55.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/342QeGXd\">(2004) 2 SCC 579.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn56\" href=\"#fnref56\">56.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Vb6ulC8A\">2010 SCC OnLine Mad 4543.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn57\" href=\"#fnref57\">57.<\/a> National Human Rights Commission, From the Editor&#8217;s Desk (nhrc.nic.in).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Amritansh Sharma*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67011,"featured_media":363281,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42503,1191],"tags":[90652,75587,90651,90650,89775,22154,90653,67424,83869,74582],"class_list":["post-363269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-analysis","category-op-ed","tag-compensationdebate","tag-humanrights","tag-justiceforsidharthan","tag-keralahighcourt","tag-legalreform","tag-nhrc","tag-nhrcindia","tag-ragging","tag-ruleoflaw","tag-studentrights"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Revisiting the Nature of NHRC&#039;s Compensation Directives: Binding Mandate or Advisory Suggestion? | SCC Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Recently, the State Government of Kerala has filed a petition before the Kerala High Court challenging the National Human Rights Commission\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/10\/10\/revisiting-the-nature-of-nhrcs-compensation-directives-binding-mandate-or-advisory-suggestion\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Revisiting the Nature of NHRC&#039;s Compensation Directives: Binding Mandate or Advisory Suggestion?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Recently, the State Government of Kerala has filed a petition before the Kerala High Court challenging the National Human Rights Commission\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/10\/10\/revisiting-the-nature-of-nhrcs-compensation-directives-binding-mandate-or-advisory-suggestion\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SCC Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-10T07:00:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NHRC-Compensation-Directives.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"886\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"590\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Revisiting the Nature of NHRC&#039;s Compensation Directives: Binding Mandate or Advisory Suggestion?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scconline.com\\\/blog\\\/post\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/10\\\/revisiting-the-nature-of-nhrcs-compensation-directives-binding-mandate-or-advisory-suggestion\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scconline.com\\\/blog\\\/post\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/10\\\/revisiting-the-nature-of-nhrcs-compensation-directives-binding-mandate-or-advisory-suggestion\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Editor\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scconline.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe\"},\"headline\":\"Revisiting the Nature of NHRC&#8217;s Compensation Directives: Binding Mandate or Advisory Suggestion?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-10T07:00:21+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scconline.com\\\/blog\\\/post\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/10\\\/revisiting-the-nature-of-nhrcs-compensation-directives-binding-mandate-or-advisory-suggestion\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2599,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scconline.com\\\/blog\\\/post\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/10\\\/revisiting-the-nature-of-nhrcs-compensation-directives-binding-mandate-or-advisory-suggestion\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.scconline.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/NHRC-Compensation-Directives.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"CompensationDebate\",\"HumanRights\",\"JusticeForSidharthan\",\"KeralaHighCourt\",\"LegalReform\",\"NHRC\",\"NHRCIndia\",\"Ragging\",\"RuleOfLaw\",\"StudentRights\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Op Eds\",\"OP. 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That resulted in the unfortunate incident wherein a young, promising student lost his life at the prime of his youth, 21 years.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"anti ragging law","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/anti-ragging-law.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/anti-ragging-law.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/anti-ragging-law.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/anti-ragging-law.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":257710,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/11\/25\/national-medical-commission-prevention-and-prohibition-of-ragging-in-medical-colleges-and-institutions-regulations-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":363269,"position":2},"title":"National Medical Commission (Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges and Institutions) Regulations, 2021","author":"Prachi Bhardwaj","date":"November 25, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The National Medical Commission has notified the National Medical Commission (Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges and Institutions) Regulations, 2021 vide notification dated 18th November, 2021. \u00a0 Key highlights: Every medical college or institution shall comply with the anti-ragging directions and submit a compliance report to the Commission\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Legislation Updates&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Legislation Updates","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/legislationupdates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":54541,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2016\/07\/04\/curbing-the-menace-of-ragging-in-higher-educational-institutions-third-amendment-regulations-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":363269,"position":3},"title":"Curbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions (third amendment), Regulations, 2016","author":"Sucheta","date":"July 4, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"In a notification issued dated 29th June, 2016, the University Grants Commission in exercise of powers conferred under clause (g) of sub-section (1) of section 26 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, makes the following Regulations namely \u201cCurbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions (third amendment), Regulations,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Legislation Updates&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Legislation Updates","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/legislationupdates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ugc.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ugc.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ugc.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ugc.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ugc.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":344815,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/04\/01\/kerala-high-court-working-group-action-plan-prohibition-ragging-act\/","url_meta":{"origin":363269,"position":4},"title":"Kerala High Court directs Working Group to convene and formulate action plan to address gaps in Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act","author":"Apoorva","date":"April 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"s per Clause 6 of the Government Order, a representative must be nominated by the State Police Chief. 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