New Delhi, Aug 26 - The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued a notice to the Union government, questioning the delay in appointing a chairperson for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The post of NHRC chairman had been lying vacant from May 31 this year.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Manmohan asked the government to file its response by Sep 9 when a public interest petition seeking thye court's direction to appoint a chairman for the Commission would be heard.

The petition filed by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation claimed that there are two retired Chief Justices of India eligible for the post, but the government is reluctant to appoint them.

'Non-appointment of chairperson in accordance with the Act (Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993) in such a situation despite the presence of two eligible candidates is arbitrary, unreasonable and in violation of principles enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution,' advocate Prashant Bhushan said.

According to rules, the commission is to be headed by a retired Chief Justice of India.