Massive Backlog of Over 11,000 Petitions at Tamil Nadu Human Rights Commission
More than 11,000 petitions are currently pending before the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (TNSHRC), according to data obtained through a Right to Information application. This significant backlog has raised serious concerns about the commission's efficiency and its ability to deliver timely justice to citizens.
Revealing Statistics from RTI Data
RTI activist S Karthik received comprehensive data showing that between 2020 and 2025, a total of 76,830 petitions were filed before the commission. While 65,445 cases were resolved during this period, 11,385 applications remain pending, creating a substantial backlog that affects countless individuals seeking redressal.
The year 2022 proved particularly challenging for the commission, with 15,374 new petitions filed. Despite this influx, the commission managed to close 16,427 cases, including some that had been pending from previous years. This demonstrates both the commission's workload and its efforts to address cases, though clearly insufficient to clear the mounting backlog.
Growing Calls for Comprehensive Assessment
After 27 years of operation, there are increasing demands for a thorough evaluation of the commission's effectiveness. Karthik emphasized that activists and members of the public want the government to establish a formal committee to collect feedback from petitioners regarding their experiences with the commission.
The commission currently functions with a retired judge as chairperson and two additional members, operating with significant state funding. Karthik stressed that the commission's entire functioning, including how petitions are disposed of, requires careful assessment. "It is necessary to improve the efficiency and functioning of TNSHRC since it is the last hope for the common public to get their grievances redressed," he told TOI.
Staff Shortages and Operational Challenges
Henri Tiphagne, executive director of People's Watch, highlighted critical staffing issues plaguing the commission. "At the moment, TNSHRC had insufficient members, with only the chairperson in place," he revealed. The state government has failed to appoint necessary members to the commission, severely hampering its ability to process petitions effectively.
Tiphagne outlined several urgent reforms needed:
- Strengthening the commission's website to provide better public access
- Making all facts about petitions and commission functioning publicly available
- Implementing systems for tracking petition status
- Introducing online hearings similar to those conducted in district courts
"Online hearings can be done in district courts, then why not TNSHRC?" Tiphagne questioned, pointing to technological solutions that could improve accessibility and efficiency.
Demand for Government Action and Transparency
The activist community is calling for concrete government action to address these systemic issues. Tiphagne emphasized that the government should submit a comprehensive report on TNSHRC before the state assembly for discussion, ensuring political accountability and transparency in addressing the commission's challenges.
This situation highlights the critical need for human rights institutions to function effectively, particularly as they serve as the final recourse for citizens seeking justice and redressal for grievances. The mounting backlog represents not just administrative delays but potentially prolonged suffering for those awaiting resolution of their human rights concerns.
