The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India concluded a two-day open hearing and camp sitting in Patna on 8 October 2026. The Commission, led by Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian and Members Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi and Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, examined more than 70 alleged cases of human rights violations brought forward by victims and complainants. Senior officials from the Bihar government, including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, attended the proceedings.
Key facts
- More than 70 cases of human rights violations heard over two days
- Rs 1 crore paid as compensation on NHRC recommendations; Rs 50 lakh in other cases
- Day 1: 30 cases heard, 19 closed after compliance verification, proof of payment submitted in 10 cases
- Day 2: 43 cases heard (10 bonded labour cases and 33 compliance and complaint matters)
- 10 cases closed on Day 2; Rs 40 lakh compensation paid to families of deceased
- Rs 5 lakh recommended for family of 10-year-old rape and murder victim in Maner, Patna district
- Rs 15 lakh recommended in two deaths in judicial custody cases
- Rs 30 lakh recommended in five deaths in police or judicial custody cases
Types of violations examined
The cases covered serious violations including bonded labour, child labour, crimes against women and children, deaths in police and judicial custody, and human trafficking. A significant portion of Day 2 focused on bonded labour complaints, where the Commission directed the Labour Secretary to submit detailed reports in two child labour cases and ordered an on-the-spot inquiry into a case of alleged multi-generation bonded labour.
In cases involving crimes against women, the Commission directed the Bihar Director General of Police to provide dedicated protection and a helpline number to a woman victim and to constitute a Special Investigation Team. In the case of a 10-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in the Maner area of Patna district, the Commission recommended Rs 5 lakh relief to the next of kin. Deaths in custody, whether in jail or police stations, were also prioritised. The Commission identified negligence by jail and medical officials in two such cases and recommended Rs 15 lakh in compensation.
Compliance and enforcement
A key achievement of the hearing was verification of compliance with earlier NHRC recommendations. On the first day alone, the state government submitted proof of payment in 10 cases, demonstrating that earlier compensation orders were being implemented. The Commission closed 19 cases on Day 1 and 10 on Day 2 after confirming that the government had acted on its findings. The NHRC also expressed displeasure over one instance where a prison official represented the District Magistrate, indicating the Commission’s concern about proper official participation in such proceedings.
Issues raised with government officials
After the hearing, the NHRC Chairperson held a separate meeting with senior Bihar government officers to discuss systemic problems. These included delayed submission of reports to the Commission, lack of official awareness of human rights laws and Supreme Court judgments, problems in identifying and rehabilitating bonded labourers, police violations, protection gaps for children, insufficient monitoring of shelter homes and correctional institutions, and weak implementation of prohibition laws.
Coordination with civil society
The NHRC also met with representatives of non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, and human rights defenders active in Bihar. The Chairperson agreed to strengthen coordination between the Commission and these organisations to improve the identification and documentation of human rights violations across the state.
What this means for you
If you are a victim of human rights violations in Bihar, the open hearing shows that the NHRC provides a mechanism to seek justice and compensation without approaching courts. The Commission can direct state officials to provide protection, conduct investigations, and award monetary relief. Civil society members and NGO workers have an opportunity to coordinate with the NHRC to report violations. Government officials are also being held accountable for non-compliance with the Commission’s earlier orders.