Important Facts For Prelims
22nd Law Commission of India
- 20 Feb 2020
- 2 min read
Why in news
Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the constitution of the 22nd 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 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 267th 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.
