New Delhi: National Human Rights Commission member Vijaya Bharati Sayani has become the acting chairperson of the central body with effect from June 2, according to a notification on Monday.

He succeeds Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra, who completed his tenure on June 1.

Mishra served as the eighth chairperson of the rights panel and was appointed to its top post in June 2021.

"The President, under section 7(1) of the Protection of Human Rights Act,

1993, is pleased to authorize Smt. Vijaya Bharati Sayani, Member, National Human Rights Commission, to act as Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission with effect from 02.06.2024, until a new Chairperson is appointed to fill such posts in the NHRC Appointment does not fill the vacancy,” read a notification issued by the Home Ministry on Monday.

Justice Mishra, a former Supreme Court judge, was also the first non-CJI to be appointed to the post of NHRC chief after the amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act in 2019.

He replaced former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice H L Dattu.

Mishra, who became the apex court judge on July 7, 2014, stepped down in September 2020.