NCST, NHRC - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Which of the following is/are true regarding the recent verdict on immunity enjoyed by armed forces?

1) Every death is to be thoroughly enquired by the CID at the instance of NHRC.
2) Absolute immunity is only available if the victim is found to be enemy.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

  • Every death caused by the armed forces in a disturbed area, whether the victim is a dreaded criminal or a militant or a terrorist or an insurgent, should be thoroughly enquired into, the Supreme Court held.
  • This is to address any allegation of use of excessive or retaliatory force beyond the call of duty.
  • Dealing a blow to the immunity enjoyed by security personnel under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) against criminal action for acts committed in disturbed areas, the apex court held that “there is no concept of absolute immunity from trial by a criminal court” if an Army man has committed an offence.
  • Even if the enquiry finds the victim an enemy, a probe should look into whether excessive or retaliatory force was used.


2)   Which former CJI was selected as chairperson of NHRC on 23rd February 2016?

a. Justice Rajinder Mal Lodha
b. Justice P. Sathasivam
c. Justice Vineet Saran
d. Justice HL Dattu
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Justice HL Dattu

Explanation:
65 year old Former Chief Justice of India HL/ Handyala Lakshminarayanaswamy Dattu was selected as the next Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 23rd February 2016 with a tenure of 5 years.  Date was cleared for appointment by a committee led by PM Narendra Modi and constituted of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P J Kurien. Date’s name has been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for approval. He retired from CJI of SC on 2nd December 2015.


3)   Who will be the next National Human Rights Commission Chairman?

a. Cyriac Joseph
b. Altamas Kabir
c. Soli Sorabjee
d. H L Dattu
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: H L Dattu

Explanation:

  • Former Chief Justice of India H L Dattu will be the next Chairman of National Human Rights Commission.
  • The post had been lying vacant since May 11 last year, when Mr. K.G. Balakrishnan demitted office after his five-year term. Justice Cyriac Joseph had been functioning as the acting chairperson since then.


4)   NHRC is celebrating its 22nd Foundation day on ______ 2015.

a. 11th October
b. 12th October
c. 13th October
d. 14th October
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 12th October

Explanation:
National Human Rights Commission is celebrating its 22nd Foundation Day on 12th October, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. During last year (October 2014 to 2015), Commission has registered 1,15,896 cases from which 95,563 cases were disposed of. The highest number of cases have been registered in UP followed by Odisha, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, Rajasthan, as well as MP. Since the time of its inception, NHRC has registered 15,02,398 cases. It is addressing issues pertaining to human rights.