A coalition of rights groups on Friday reminded the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of its statutory mandate that empowers it to take suo motu action in the face of violations, particularly acts of omission and commission by public servants, and also assailed it for its silence on the Delhi riots.

“The mandate and powers of the commission are independent of assurances or action that may be being taken by other State actors or institutions,” said the Working Group on Human Rights in India and the UN (WGHR). “Does the NHRC’s silence, at this time, not undermine and harm its statutory mandate?” it asked.

In a letter addressed to Justice H.L. Dattu, the NHRC chairperson, the WGHR pointed out that “at least five days have passed since the outbreak of communal violence in parts of northeast Delhi”.

The outfit said that since February 24, the media had “highlighted multiple instances of failure of the police to prevent and control the violence”.