The Investigation Division is ‘the eyes & ear of the Commission’ which is headed by an officer of the rank of the Director General of Police, assisted by a Deputy Inspector General and four Senior Superintendents of Police. Each Senior Superintendent of Police heads a group of investigative officers (comprising Deputy Superintendents of Police and Inspectors). The functioning of the Investigation Division is multi-dimensional, and it carries out the following activities:

Activities of the Investigation Division, NHRC

i. Spot Enquiries NHRC

The Investigation Division conducts spot enquiries and recommends appropriate action in cases involving human rights violations. These are ordered by the Commission in serious matters, such as illegal detention, extrajudicial killings by the police, inaction of the public servant, inadequate hospital facilities leading to unnatural deaths and bonded labour etc.

Spot enquiries aim to uncover the facts and present them to the Commission for further action. Based on the findings, recommendations are issued to public authorities to rectify the violations. These enquiries play a vital role in building public trust in the NHRC’s commitment to safeguarding human rights.

ii. Custodial Deaths

Under NHRC guidelines, State authorities must report any custodial death—whether in police or judicial custody—within 24 hours. The Investigation Division examines these cases based upon a set of reports to determine the presence of human rights violations, often seeking expert opinions from forensic specialists and doctors on the NHRC panel to ensure thorough and unbiased analysis.

iii. Deaths in Police Firing / Encounters

The Commission mandates that all deaths during police action, including encounters with criminals’ must be reported within 48 hours. This must be followed by detailed documentation and various reports including post-mortem reports, FSL reports, magisterial enquiry reports and independent investigation findings. The Investigation Division scrutinizes these cases to identify any procedural lapses, omission or commission, excess use of force, unjustified actions, or anomalies and presents its findings to the Commission for necessary action.

iv. Fact-Finding Cases

In fact-finding matters, the Investigation Division obtains reports from relevant authorities as directed by the Commission. These reports are critically analyzed to ascertain human rights violations. If the reports are found to be misleading or inadequate, the Commission may order a spot enquiry to establish the truth.

v. Rapid Action Cell (RAC)

Since 2007, the Investigation Division has been handling urgent cases of human rights violations under the ‘Rapid Action’ mechanism. As directed by the Commission, the Division promptly gathers facts and reports from concerned authorities over the phone. These reports are critically analyzed to determine the presence of any human rights violations. If found to be misleading or inadequate, the Commission may order a spot enquiry to uncover the truth. This swift intervention not only provides immediate relief to complainants or victims but also acts as a deterrent against misconduct by public servants, if any.

vi. Visits to Detention Facilities, Hospitals, and Shelters

In response to complaints about the living conditions in prisons, shelter homes and similar institutions, Investigation Division officers visit these facilities across various States. These visits are carried out as per Commission directives to assess both specific allegations and general conditions and to report the findings to the Commission.

vii. Central Armed Police Forces & State Police Debate Competition

To foster awareness and sensitivity towards human rights among Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the State Police personnel, the NHRC organizes an annual debate competition for the last 30 years. This is being organized on rotational basis in every year among the CAPFs.

viii. Model Syllabus for Police Personnel

The Commission has developed a comprehensive Human Rights syllabus tailored for various ranks in the police—Constables, Sub-Inspectors, and Deputy Superintendents. (Click here for view Syllabus)

ix. Capacity Building and Outreach Programmes

The Investigation Division plays an active role in building capacity among law enforcement and public officials. Through regular lectures, workshops, and interactions, officers promote human rights literacy and awareness among stakeholders. These sessions are also conducted for students and interns enrolled in NHRC’s short-term and long-term internship programmes.

i) Training of Police & CAPF Personnel

The NHRC, under its statutory mandate, regularly organizes training sessions for police, CAPF, and prison officials across States/UTs. Key initiatives in 2024–25 include:

• Training of Trainers (Forest Officers): Conducted at Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun, from 18–21 June 2024, attended by 35 senior IFoS officers.
• IPS Probationers Training: A specially designed syllabus on human rights, approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), was delivered at SVPNPA, Hyderabad, from 12–14 August 2024, covering 7 topics over 20 sessions.
• Senior Police Officers Training:
  ⮚ Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu & Karnataka): 3–4 October 2024 | 45 police officers participants.
  ⮚ Rajasthan Police Academy, Jaipur: 25–26 October 2024 | 35 senior IPS officers participated.

ii) In-House Training Sessions for NHRC Officers

To enhance the technical skills and understanding of forensic reports among Investigation and Law Division officers, in-house training sessions were conducted:

• 11 June 2024: Forensic Science – Inquest and post-mortem examination from a human rights perspective.
• 24–25 July 2024: New Criminal Laws – Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
• 27 March 2025: Understanding injuries, PMR, and MTR in the context of human rights violations.
• 28 March 2025: Suicides in custody (Judicial and Police) and related human rights implications.