INTRODUCTION 1.4 Section 3(2) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 states that: "The (a) (b) (c) (d) Commission shall consist of :a Chairperson who has been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; one Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court; one Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court; two Members to be appointed from amongst persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights." Section 3(3) of the Act adds that: "The Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the National Commission for Women shall be deemed to be Members of the Commission for the discharge of functions specified in clauses (b) to (j) of section 12." 1.5 While Sections 4, 5 & 6 of the Act proceed to spell out the detailed procedures to be followed in respect of the appointment, removal and terms of office of the Chairperson and Members who constitute the Commission under section 3(2) of the Act, no such details are contained in the Act in respect of those who are "deemed to be Members of the Commission" under the provisions of Section 3(3) of the Act; their methods of appointment, removal and terms of office being determined by the statutes that govern the respective Commissions of which they serve as Chairpersons. 1.6 In the course of the year under review, and in accordance with Section 6(1) of the Act, the Chairperson of the Commission, Justice J.S. Verma, completed his term of office on 17 January 2003, upon attaining the age of seventy years. He was succeeded by Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, who assumed charge as Chairperson of the Commission on 17 February 2003. Dr. Justice A.S. Anand had served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India from 10 October 1998 to 1 November 2001. 1.7 Earlier, Dr. Justice K. Ramaswamy had completed his term of office on 12 July 2002, also having attained the age of seventy years. As of 31 March 2003, the post vacated by him remained vacant, as did that which had been held by Shri Sudarshan Agarwal, whose term of office as a Member had similarly come to a close on 18 June 2001. Among the other Members serving ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 ... ... 7 ... ... ..