MP: High Court forms bench for smooth functioning of Grievance Redressal Authorities in tribal districts
The Supreme Court while acting on a Special Leave Petition filed by the Shramik Adivasi Sanghathan of MP had directed the state High Court to ensure smooth functioning of GRAs in these districts
In Short
- Supreme Court directed the state High Court to ensure smooth functioning of GRA.
- Supreme Court ordered formation of GRAs in different districts of MP.
- GRAs of Harda and Khandwa abruptly closed down by the district judges.
The Madhya Pradesh High court has constituted a two-judge special bench to ensure implementation of the Supreme Court order that directed appointment of Grievance Redressal Authorities (GRA) in the tribal districts of Harda, Betul and Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh.
The Supreme Court while acting on a Special Leave Petition filed by the Shramik Adivasi Sanghathan of MP had directed the state High Court to ensure smooth functioning of GRAs in these districts.
"The Shramik Adivasi Sanghatan had approached the Supreme court after the GRAs of Harda and Khandwa were abruptly closed down by the district judges in violation of the 2012 order of Supreme Court of India, " said Anurag Modi of the Shramik Adivasi Sanghathan while speaking to India Today on phone said.
The Supreme Court in August 2012 has ordered formation of the GRAs in Harda, Betul and Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh with a mandate to investigate the authenticity of cases registered by the police against tribals and tribal activists and to look into allegations of police inaction.
The GRAs also had a mandate to investigate and make recommendations in cases of harassment and misuse of authority by government servants and were empowered to provide legal aid to those tribals against whom false cases were registered.
"We had earlier approached the High Court after the district judge of Harda and Khandwa abruptly shut down the GRAs and had to approach the Supreme court as we did not get any relief. The Supreme Court in its order had asked the formation of GRAs but the order was not being implemented," Modi said.