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LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA - IAS Academy in Coimbatore

Nov 10, 2022

LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA

Why in News?

Retired High Court Chief Justice Rituraj Awasthi has been appointed as the chairperson of the 22nd law commission of India which was constituted in 2020.

  • 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.
  • 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.

Objectives:

  • 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.

Composition:

  • Apart from having a full-time chairperson, the commission will have four full-time members, including a member-secretary.
  • Law and Legislative Secretaries in the Law Ministry will be the ex-officio members of the commission.
  • It will also have not more than five part-time members.
  • A retired Supreme Court judge or Chief Justice of a High Court will head the Commission.

What are the Important Recommendations of the Commission?

  • The Law Commission in its 262nd 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 Law Commission had also recommended the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country.
  • The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 which replace the Identification of Prisoners Act,1920 was also proposed by the Law Commission of India.