New Delhi: The Supreme Court today rejected
the idea of appointing a committee for monitoring the cases
relating to alleged human rights violation by anti-Naxal
vigilante groups (Salwa Judum) registered in Chhatisgarh on
the recommendations of NHRC.
"We are very clear that we will not appoint a committee
to monitor the prosecution of cases registered at NHRC`s
recommendation," a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G
Balakrishnan and Justices Deepak Verma and B S Chauhan said.
However, the Bench said it could consider the plea for
appointing the committee for monitoring the relief and
rehablitation of the victims who are caught in the cross-fire
in the fight between Salwa Judum activists and Naxalites on
one hand and between Maoists and police on the other hand.
The Bench said the activists, who have brought this
issue before the court, can come out with the names of the
persons with their affidavits whom they have suggested to be
the members of any such committee.
The court was hearing a PIL on which an NHRC probe was
ordered into the allegations by some academicians and social
activists that the state government was supporting the Salwa
Judum to combat Naxalism.
Senior advocate Rajender Sachar and academician Nandini
Sunder submitted the setting up of a monitoring committee
would help in not only streamlining the relief and
rehabilitation but would also be beneficial for proper
prosecution of the cases registered on NHRC recommendations.
However, their submissions were opposed by advocates
Manish Singhvi and Atul Jha appearing for Chhattisgarh
government.
PTI
