The NHRC cracks down on the unlawful ‘Sarpanch Pati’ practice, where male relatives control women-elected Panchayats. 32 States and UTs are summoned to ensure women leaders exercise full constitutional powers in local governance.
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NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken a strong stance against the unconstitutional practice of proxy representation, widely known as the ‘Sarpanch Pati’ phenomenon, where husbands or male relatives unofficially exercise the powers of elected women Sarpanches. In a landmark move, the NHRC has issued conditional summons to 32 states and union territories to curb this practice and protect women’s constitutional rights in local governance.
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The ‘Sarpanch Pati’ phenomenon involves male relatives of elected women representatives assuming actual administrative control, reducing women to symbolic leaders. This practice undermines the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which mandates that at least one-third of Panchayat leadership positions be reserved for women.
Such proxy governance violates fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15(3), and 21 of the Indian Constitution, including the rights to equality, non-discrimination, dignity, and life. It also compromises the democratic functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
On September 9, 2025, the NHRC, led by Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo, invoked Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to address the issue. Notices were sent to the Principal Secretaries of Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies Departments across India, seeking explanations for the ongoing proxy practices.
While states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Uttarakhand have submitted responses, 32 other states and UTs have yet to provide action reports. In response, the NHRC issued a Conditional Summons under Section 13 of the Act, mandating personal appearances of the concerned officials on December 30, 2025, unless reports are submitted by December 22, 2025. Non-compliance could lead to consequences under Rules 10 and 12 of Order XVI of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908.
The NHRC noted that proxy governance could amount to criminal misconduct under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including:
- Section 207: Impersonation of public servants
- Section 223: Criminal breach of trust
- Section 316: Unlawful assumption of public functions
Additionally, the practice erodes the constitutional integrity of PRIs and ULBs, violating democratic principles and citizens’ rights.
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