1.  Short title and commencement:

(i)      These regulations may be called the National Human Rights Commission (Procedure) Regulations, 1994*

(ii)     They shall be deemed to have come into force with effect from 1.4.1997

2.  Definitions:

In these regulations unless the context otherwise requires-

(a)      “Act” means the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 as amended from time to time;

(b)    “Code” means the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 as amended from time to time.

(c)     “Complaint” means all petitions/communications received in the Commission from a victim or any other person on his behalf, in person, by post, by telegram, by fax, or by any other means whatsoever, alleging  violation or abetment thereof or negligence in the prevention of such violation, by a public servant, of all or any of the human rights defined in section 2(d) of the Act.

(d)    “Director General (Investigation)” means Director General (Investigation) of the Commission.

(e)     “Division” means and includes Administration Division, Law Division, Investigation Division and Research Division and such other Divisions in the Commission as may be constituted by the Chairperson.

(f)      “Division Bench” means a Bench consisting of two Members of the Commission as constituted by the Chairperson.

(g)    “Full Bench” means a Bench consisting of three or more Members of the Commission as constituted by the Chairperson.

(h)    “Registrar” means Registrar of the Commission.

(i)      “Regulation” means regulations framed by the Commission under section 10(2) of the Act.

(j)      “Secretary General” means Secretary General of the Commission.

(k)     “Single Bench” means a Bench consisting of one member of the Commission as constituted by the Chairperson.

(l)      Words and expressions not defined in these regulations shall, to the extent defined in the Act, have the same meaning as assigned to them therein.

3.  Headquarters of the Commission:

The Headquarters of the Commission shall be located at Delhi.

4.  Venue of the Meetings:

The Commission shall ordinarily hold its meetings and sittings in its office located at Delhi.  However, it may, in its discretion, hold its meetings and sittings at any other place in India if it considers it necessary and expedient.

5.  Periodicity of meetings:

The Commission shall normally have its regular sittings in the first and third weeks of every month, excepting holidays.  However, the Chairperson by himself or at the instance of one or more of the members may direct a special sitting of the Commission to be convened to consider any specific matter of urgency.

6.  Secretariat Assistance:

The Secretary-General, along with such other officers of the Commission as may be directed by the Chairperson, or considered necessary, shall attend the meetings of the Commission.

7.  Agenda:

The Secretary-General shall, in consultation with the Chairperson, prepare the agenda for each meeting of the Commission and shall cause the notes thereon to be prepared by the Secretariat.  Such notes shall, as far as possible, be self-contained.   Specific files covering the agenda items shall be made readily available to the Commission for reference.  The agenda papers shall ordinarily be circulated to the members at least two clear days in advance of every meeting; but when matters are set down only for hearing, cause list of the day of sitting shall be prepared and circulated.