Former Supreme Court judge, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). His appointment was announced on Monday, filling the position that had been vacant since June 1, following the completion of Justice Arun Kumar Mishra’s tenure.
Justice Mishra, also a former Supreme Court judge, had served as the NHRC chairperson after the 2019 amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act, which allowed non-Chief Justices of India to hold the position. Upon Mishra’s departure, Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, an NHRC member, had taken over as the acting chairperson from June 2.
The NHRC confirmed the appointment of Justice Ramasubramanian along with two new members—Priyank Kanoongo and Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi (Retd.). The announcement was made via a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Career of Justice V. Ramasubramanian
Born on June 30, 1958, Justice Ramasubramanian began his legal career in 1983, practicing for 23 years at the Madras High Court. He was appointed as an additional judge of the High Court in 2006 and became a permanent judge three years later. In 2016, after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, he was transferred to the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad. In 2019, he was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and was appointed to the Supreme Court later that year.
Priyank Kanoongo Joins NHRC as Member
Alongside Justice Ramasubramanian, Priyank Kanoongo, former chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), has been appointed as a member of the NHRC. Kanoongo, known for his strong advocacy for child protection, especially in cases involving child abuse and exploitation, expressed his commitment to fulfilling his new responsibilities at the NHRC.
This reshuffling of the NHRC leadership comes at a time when the commission is expected to continue its vital work in safeguarding and promoting human rights in India.
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