Present law commission chairman

The 22nd Law Commission has recommended that Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with the offence of sedition be retained and that the minimum jail term for the offence be enhanced from three years to seven years. This could clearly be a device to serve the interest of the Centre, which might want its retention for political reasons rather than administrative exigencies. The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, in his covering letter to the Union Minister for Law, takes note of the pending proceedings in S.G. Vombatkere vs Union of India before the Supreme Court, challenging the very validity of the provision. The Supreme Court, in an unprecedented move, via its order dated May 11, 2022, forbade the use of the impugned provision and the use of coercive measures based on it. An affidavit filed by the Centre before the Court said that the Prime Minister was of the opinion that “we need to, as a nation, work even harder to shed colonial baggage that has passed its utility, which includes outdated colonial laws and practices”. Also Read | The affidavit further said that the government “has decided to re-examine and re-consider the provision of Section 124A of the IPC”. The Court also said that the government agreed with the “prima facie opinion” of the Court that the provision was outdated. While the Court practically suspended the provision, the Law Commission has now come up with a revivalist posture and openly supported the colonial provisi...

Tags: • • Why in news Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the constitution of the 22 nd Law Commission of India for a period of three years. Key Points • The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body constituted by the Government of India from time to time. • The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 for a three-year term. Since then, twenty one more Commissions have been established. • The first Law Commission was established during the British Raj era in 1834 by the Charter Act of 1833 and was chaired by Lord Macaulay. • It works as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice. • The Law Commission undertakes research in law and review of existing laws in India for making reforms therein and enacting new legislations on a reference made to it by the Central Government or suo-motu. Important Recommendations by Law Commission of India • Law Commission in its 262 nd Report recommended abolition of the death penalty for all crimes except terrorism-related offences and waging war against the state. • Its report on electoral reforms (1999) had suggested simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections to improve governance and stability. • The 267 th report of the Law Commission had drafted a new law — The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2017 — inserting new Sections to fortify democracy against hate speeches. • The Law Commission had also recommended the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country. Source: PIB