The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is conducting a two-day Camp Sitting in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on July 21st and 22nd, 2025, to hear cases of alleged human rights violations.
NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian, along with Members Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Vijaya Bharathi Sayani and Priyank Kanoongo will begin hearings at 10:00 AM at the State Guest House, Unit V in Keshari Nagar on July 21st.
The NHRC Secretary General, Bharat Lal, Registrar (Law) Joginder Singh, and other senior officials will also be present during the Camp Sitting and open hearing. In addition to addressing specific cases, this initiative aims to raise awareness about human rights and expedite justice for victims of rights violations. The Commission will engage with representatives from civil society organisations, NGOs, and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs).
State authorities and the relevant complainants are required to attend the hearings to facilitate on-the-spot discussions and decisions. Cases to be addressed include attacks on journalists and HRDs and their families, crimes against women, crimes against children (including POCSO cases), deaths caused by snake bites and inadequate medical support, flooding issues affecting over five families in Bhadrak, Kendrapada, and other coastal districts, human rights violations related to witchcraft and sorcery accusations, and the trafficking of girl children during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the hearings, the Commission will meet with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and other senior state officials to discuss matters related to the promotion and protection of human rights.
On July 22nd, 2025, the Commission will meet with representatives of civil society organisations, NGOs, and HRDs. A media briefing will follow to share the outcomes of the Camp Sitting, raising broader awareness of human rights issues in the state and the actions taken by the NHRC.
Since 2007, the NHRC has been organising Camp Sittings across the country. These have been held in various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, Assam, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
