New Delhi: This week, the Law Commission of India is set to get a new Chairperson, the post was laying vacant since September, last year. The announcement was made by the Law Minister- D. V. Sadananda Gowda, yesterday, i.e. on 8th March.
It was stated by the Law Minister- Gowda that by the end of the week, the notification for the next chairman would be issued. Moreover, the Law Ministry had urged the Law Commission to study the usage of the provisions of the Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which is dealing with the ‘Sedition law’. Thus, there are many key issues pending before the Law Commission. And it is also required to study the issue of call on amending the Indian Penal Code, 1860 amid allegations of arbitrary use and abuse of the laws.
Earlier it was seen in the last year, that there had been forwarded a list of Forty- Eight former judges of the High Courts and Supreme Court to the Prime Minister’s Office for selection of the next Law Commission Chairperson.
It was also seen that by 30th day of August, last year, the terms of the 20th Law Commission of India ended and the Union Cabinet approved creation of the next Law Commission on 9th day of September, last year. Moreover, it was further seen that the notification in connection with the creation of the 21st Law Commission of India was brought out by the Law Ministry on 14th day of September, last year however, the Chairperson and the members to this next commission were remained not appointed.
Moreover, this 21st Law Commission is to have a Chairman with the Four Full- time members, including the Member Secretary, Two ex- officio members, such as- the Law Secretary and Legislative Secretary and not more than five part- time members.
It is notable that by every three years gap, a Law Commission is being reconstituted and generally, it is headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge or Former Chief Justice of the High court of any State or such serving judges can also be the head of the Commission.