Maharashtra: Former Bombay High Court judge Justice RC Chavan has resigned from Maharashtra’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) drafting committee, citing concerns about the panel’s functioning, public feedback process, and decision-making procedures. The development has drawn attention because the committee was formed to prepare recommendations on implementing a Uniform Civil Code in Maharashtra.
The resignation comes shortly after the committee held its second meeting and began discussions on gathering public opinion through a questionnaire.
What Is The Maharashtra UCC Committee
The Maharashtra government constituted a seven-member committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai to study and prepare a draft framework for implementing a Uniform Civil Code in the state.
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The committee’s role includes consulting stakeholders, gathering public feedback, and recommending legal reforms related to personal laws such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
Why Did Justice RC Chavan Resign
According to reports, Justice Chavan felt that the committee’s consultation exercise was being reduced to collecting simple “Yes” or “No” responses through a questionnaire rather than encouraging meaningful discussion on complex social issues.
He reportedly believed that the consultation process should have generated broader public consensus on matters such as marriage disputes, infertility-related concerns, family laws, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Questionnaire Finalized Before Discussion
Justice Chavan also stated that some members wanted the questionnaire to be professionally reviewed by academic experts. However, he claimed that the questionnaire had already been finalized before those suggestions could be considered.
According to his observations, this limited the opportunity for meaningful deliberation among committee members.
Questions Over Participation Of A Non-Member
Another issue raised by Justice Chavan was the involvement of a person who was not officially appointed as a member of the committee. He questioned the role played by the individual in discussions related to website modifications and committee operations. He also sought clarity regarding how decisions were being communicated and implemented.
Decision-Making Concerns
Justice Chavan indicated that important decisions appeared to be moving forward without sufficient consultation among all committee members. He expressed concern that established decision-making processes were being bypassed.
Maharashtra Government Accepts Resignation of Justice RC Chavan
Following his resignation, the Maharashtra government accepted Justice Chavan’s decision. Reports indicate that his departure has created fresh discussion about the committee’s internal functioning and future work. The committee is expected to continue its work on preparing recommendations related to the proposed Uniform Civil Code framework for the state.
What Is A Uniform Civil Code
A Uniform Civil Code (UCC) refers to a common set of civil laws applicable to all citizens regardless of religion. It generally covers matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession. The concept is mentioned in Article 44 of the Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy. Different viewpoints exist regarding the scope, implementation, and impact of a UCC, making public consultation an important part of the process.
Who is Justice RC Chavan
Justice Rameshchandra (RC) Chavan is a distinguished former Indian jurist and judicial administrator who served as a Judge of the Bombay High Court.
Early Life and Education
- Birth: Born on April 12, 1952, in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
- Academic Qualifications: He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree from the Institute of Science, Nagpur, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.).
Judicial Career
- Lower Judiciary: Justice Chavan entered the judicial service on March 1, 1976, starting as a Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Judicial Magistrate First Class. Over the decades, he steadily rose through the ranks, serving as a Senior Division Civil Judge (1985) and an Additional District and Sessions Judge (1987) across various districts including Jalgaon, Thane, Nashik, Nanded, Aurangabad, and Pune.
- Training and Administration: Between 1990 and 1994, he worked as the Joint Director of the Judicial Officers Training Institute in Nagpur. He also held key administrative positions within the Bombay High Court, notably serving as its first Registrar General.
- High Court Elevation: He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on June 22, 2005, where he served until his retirement in 2013.
- Post-Retirement Roles: Following his tenure on the High Court bench, he served as a Judge of the Special Court (Torts), Mumbai, and later assumed charge as the President of the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
Literary and Public Contributions
Aside from his judicial duties, Justice Chavan has contributed to legal literature. He has authored multiple books and writings reflecting on the legal system.
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FAQs
The Maharashtra UCC committee is headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai.
Justice RC Chavan resigned citing concerns about the committee’s functioning, the public feedback process, and the participation of a non-member in committee-related discussions.
The committee has been formed to study and prepare recommendations for implementing a Uniform Civil Code in Maharashtra after gathering public feedback and examining legal issues.
