Punjab rushes to name rights panel chairman

Chandigarh : Appearing to be making most of the absence of the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, the state government today rushed through the appointment of Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari, former Chief Justice of Patna High Court, as the State Human Rights Commission Chairman. The appointment was finalised despite the law suggesting that the selection process had to be completed in the presence of the Leader of Opposition, a post that fell vacant following the resignation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader HS Phoolka on Tuesday. The Supreme Court lawyer quit so he could represent victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in courts. The AAP leadership is yet to name his replacement. Section 22 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, mandates that the chairperson and members of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) have to be appointed by the Governor on the basis of recommendations by a committee comprising the Chief Minister (as panel chairperson), Assembly Speaker, Minister in charge of Home Department and the Leader of Opposition.