The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has disposed of 165 cases in 2025-26 but flagged that compensation of over Rs 54.77 lakh recommended in several cases is unpaid, even as complaints of police excesses, illegal detention and delays in government dues continue to surface.
In its Fourteenth Annual Report submitted to the State Government, the Commission of Acting Chairperson Desmond D’Costa and Member Pramod Kamat had 81 pending cases as on April 1, 2025. During the year, 105 fresh cases were registered, while 165 cases were disposed of between April 2025 and March 2026.
Among the disposed cases, recommendations were issued in 21 matters. Monetary relief was awarded and paid in five cases amounting to Rs 10.83 lakh while in three other cases, compensation of around Rs 54.77 lakh was recommended, though the payments are still pending.
“The Commission has made several recommendations from time to time in respect of violation of basic human rights such as delay in payment of pension and salaries to government servants, police atrocities, illegal detentions, and obstruction of access to property,” the report stated, copy of which has been shared with the media.
It noted that such interventions have helped raise public awareness. Highlighting the role of the Commission, it further said citizens earlier had to rely on courts for redressal, which was “long, cumbersome and costly.” “These recommendations were widely reported by the press, which made public members aware about their fundamental and human rights... The establishment of GHRC has fulfilled the aspirations of the people of Goa who, now, have easy access to justice to ventilate their grievances against public servants in the matter of violation of human rights,” it added. The report also records that the State Government has provided the Commission with office premises and infrastructure in Panaji for its functioning.
