The police have registered cases against persons and organisations misusing the term ‘Human Rights’, in Namakkal and Coimbatore districts. The Madras High Court has recently sought a report on the steps taken to eradicate entities that claim to be human rights organisations and also action taken against them. It may be noted that private organisations should not use the words ‘Human Rights’. Based on information that the organisations continue to use the words, the police registered cases against six private organisations, functioning in Namakkal, Puduchatram, Mohanur, Pallipalayam, Velur and Jedarpalayam. Namakkal Collector V. Dakshinamoorthy and Superintendent of Police S.R. Senthil Kumar warned against using the words ‘Human Rights’ by private persons in the district. In Salem, six cases were also registered against persons for misusing the name ‘Human Rights Organisation’. They were functioning in Mettur, Mecheri, Yercaud, Attur and Jalakandapuram. The police also seized fake visiting cards and letterheads from them.
In Coimbatore, the district police launched the crackdown following an instruction from Superintendent of Police of Coimbatore District M. Sudhakar.
On Thursday, the Thudiyalur, Karamadai and Negamam police registered cases against the representatives and office-bearers (totalling 32 persons) of three such organisations. The police said that the accused impersonated themselves as public servants by using misleading visiting cards and letter pads. Cases were registered against them under Sections 170 (personating a public servant) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950. Police sources said that no arrests were made and that further inquiries were under way. A senior police officer said that the amended Societies Registration Act explains that the words ‘Human Rights’ should not be used by any society.
“Only the National and State Human Rights Commissions could have the words (Human Rights). Action will continue against organisations misusing the term,” the officer added.
