Why in News  

The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a June 16, 2025 incident in Narayanapuram, Andhra Pradesh, where a woman was publicly tied to a tree and assaulted by a moneylender over her husband's loan default. 

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)  

• Headquarters: New Delhi. 
• Establishment 
  • Set up as a statutory body under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, amended in 2006 and 2019. 
  • PHRA defines human rights as rights related to life, liberty, equality and dignity, guaranteed by the Constitution or international covenants and enforceable by Indian courts. 

Appointment Process 

• Appointing Authority: Chairperson and members are appointed by the President of India. 
• Recommendation Committee: Headed by the Prime Minister, the committee includes, 
  • Speaker of Lok Sabha 
  • Home Minister 
  • Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 
  • Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha 

Tenure and Removal 

• Term 
  • Hold office for three years or until the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. 
  • Eligible for reappointment. 
• Removal: Can be removed by the President on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity, after consultation with the Supreme Court.