By Admin 
On June 23, 2026, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry released a 100-page report which caught the attention of the entire world. In this report, Israel was seriously accused of deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The person behind this report is none other than Justice Srinivasan Muralidhar, a former Justice of India, who is the Chairman of this Commission. The question is, who is Justice Muralidhar? How has his judicial career been and what is there in the report that has angered Israel so much?
Who is Justice S Muralidhar?
Justice Srinivasan Muralidhar is an Indian jurist, who is counted among the most independent-minded judges of India. He was born on 8 August 1961. He graduated in Chemistry from Vivekananda College, Chennai and then obtained a law degree from Madras University. Later he also did PhD from Delhi University.
- Beginning of legal career: He started practicing law in Chennai in 1984. Three years later, in 1987, he came to Delhi and started practicing in Delhi High Court and Supreme Court. In 1990, he topped the Advocate-on-Record examination of the Supreme Court. He also served as counsel for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India and assisted the court as amicus curiae in several public interest litigations.
- Tenure as Justice: In May 2006, he was appointed judge of Delhi High Court. After staying in Delhi High Court for 14 years, he was transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court. In January 2021, he became the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. After retirement in August 2023, the Supreme Court appointed him as Senior Advocate.
History making decisions of Justice Muralidhar
Some of the decisions of Justice Muralidhar set precedents in the judicial system of the country:
1. Historic decision decriminalizing homosexuality (2009): Justice Muralidhar joined Chief Justice A.P. in the Naz Foundation case. Gave a historic decision together with Shah. He rejected Section 377 of the IPC, which criminalized homosexual relations. Although later the Supreme Court temporarily overturned it, but in 2018, on the basis of this decision, the Supreme Court permanently decriminalized homosexuality. Recalling this decision, Muralidhar had said, ‘That day of July 2, 2009 was the most emotional moment of my career as a judge. When we announced the verdict, the relief on the faces of the people present in the court room was priceless.
2. Punishment of culprits in Hashimpura case (2018): In 1987, dozens of Muslim men were arrested and killed by the police in Hashimpura, Uttar Pradesh. In 2018, Justice Muralidhar overturned the acquittal of the lower court and convicted 16 former policemen. He clearly said that the state’s accountability cannot end with the passage of time.
3. Sajjan Kumar convicted in 1984 anti-Sikh riots (2018): Justice Muralidhar was part of the bench that convicted Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
4. Midnight hearing during 2020 Delhi riots: When communal violence broke out in Northeast Delhi in February 2020, Justice Muralidhar held an emergency hearing after midnight at his home. He ordered to find a safe way for the victims. The next day he also made strong comments on the action of Delhi Police. Immediately after this, he was removed from Delhi High Court and transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court.
How to reach United Nations?
In November 2025, the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) appointed Justice Muralidhar as a member of the International Commission of Inquiry on ‘the Occupied Palestinian Territories (including East Jerusalem) and Israel’. He was also made the chairman of this three-member commission. This commission was established in 2021 under Human Rights Council resolution S-30/1. Its task is to investigate violations of human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel from 13 April 2021 till now.
Gaza Report: The 100-page document that shook the world
On June 23, 2026, the Justice Muralidhar-led commission released a 100-page report with the headline ‘The essence of childhood has been destroyed’. During a press conference in Geneva, Muralidhar said that the commission had found ‘indisputable evidence of war crimes and atrocity crimes’. In this report:
- Figures of deaths and injuries of children: At least 20,179 Palestinian children were killed and 44,143 were injured in Gaza between 7 October 2023 and 7 October 2025. This is approximately 30% of the total conflict deaths during that period.
- How children were targeted: The report said that the children were killed in two ways. First, through large-scale air strikes in densely populated areas and second, through drones and sniper rifles targeting the head and upper body.
- Infrastructure destruction: 97% of schools in Gaza have been completely destroyed. Orphanages, maternity wards and intensive care nurseries have also been destroyed.
- Attacks even after ceasefire: Even after the ceasefire in October 2025, Israeli security forces continued to target and kill children.
- Custodial torture: Palestinian children were arrested, tortured and ill-treated in Israeli prisons.
- Sexual violence: Israeli security forces also used sexual violence against children.
- Starvation: Due to Israel’s blockade and siege, children died and the health of many children was compromised.
- Hamas crimes: The Commission also recorded that Palestinian armed groups also committed serious violations against children, including the killing of five Israeli teenagers by Hamas in October 2023.
What did Israel feel about this report?
Israel has completely rejected this report. The Israeli Foreign Ministry termed it ‘promotional material’. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations called it ‘a blood libel disguised as a UN document’ (false accusation).
What did Justice Muralidhar say about the report?
Justice Muralidhar said, ‘The evidence shows that Palestinian children were deliberately targeted and killed by Israeli security forces. Even after the October 2025 ceasefire, children are being killed and seriously injured, Israel is flouting the ceasefire and the protection given to children under international law. By targeting children, Israel is attacking the Palestinian people’s existence and ability to decide their own future.