CHAPTER A. 6 Number and Nature 6.1 As in the previous years, the Commission received a wide range of complaints relating to human rights violation from various parts of the country. These included cases related to custodial deaths, torture, police high-handedness, violations committed by security forces, prison conditions, negligence of public authorities, and denial of rights to women, children and other vulnerable sections. The Commission also took up suo motu cognizance of many incidents of violation of human rights based on reports in newspapers, television and visits undertaken by the Chairperson/Members of the Commission. The following paras summarize the number and nature of complaints and also observations made by the Commission in some important cases. 6.2 During the year under review, the Commission had a total of 1,32,497 cases to examine (including cases brought forward from preceding years). The Commission disposed off 1,02,848 cases between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008. As on 31 March 2008, the total number of cases pending with the Commission were 29,649. The State-wise and category-wise details of cases are given at Annexures 2 to 5. 6.3 A record number of 1,00,616 cases were registered in the Commission during 2007-2008, while the corresponding figure for the year 2006-2007 was 82,233. Of the cases registered during the year under review, 98,332 cases were complaints, 108 cases relate to suo motu cognizance taken by the Commission, 188 cases of death in police custody, 1,789 cases of death in judicial custody, 4 cases of death in the custody of defence/para-military forces, 18 pertained to custodial rapes and 177 concerning police encounters (Annexure 3). 6.4 As in the past, the largest number of complaints registered was from the State of Uttar Pradesh — 58,865, i.e. 58.50 per cent. NCT of Delhi and Bihar followed, with 6,210 and 4,595 complaints respectively. NCT of Delhi and Bihar had no State Human Rights Commissions during the period being reported. The State Human Rights Commission in Uttar Pradesh was not functional for want of appointment of Chairperson and filling up of vacant posts of Members (Annexure 3). 6.5 Of the 1,02,848 cases disposed off during 2007-2008, 63,763 were dismissed 'in limini', while 26,600 were disposed off with directions to the appropriate authorities. 1,576 cases were transferred to State Human Rights Commissions, in accordance with the provisions of the PHRA. National Human Rights Commission 31