In its deliberations, apart from the pleadings of the petitioner and replies and reports of the Union of India and several state governments, the justices of the Supreme Court have relied significantly on a series of Reports submitted by the Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Court to assist it in its deliberations. The Commissioners to the Supreme Court in turn have drawn data and learnings from the reports from various advisors it has appointed in various states.
The Advisers ‘extend the reach’ of the Commissioners and serve as a bridge between the Commissioners, the state governments, and various citizens’ groups in their respective states. The main roles of the Advisers include sending regular updates and periodic reports to the Commissioners; conveying to them any appeal for intervention that may be made in the state; working towards a more effective monitoring and redressal system; conducting enquiries in response to complaints; organizing research; liaising with the State Governments on issues of monitoring and redressal.
The Advisers can work at three different levels; one is to liaise with the Commissioners at the Central level. Second, is working with the administration of the states and thirdly is working with organizations, societies or individuals who may come to them with complaints or whom they may wish to work with at the grassroots level.
