Maharashtra UCC panel member resigns over public feedback process, ‘non-member’ at meeting

Non-member part of meeting, Justice (retd) R C Chavan wrote. (Photo Enhanced using AI)

Two days after Maharashtra’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) committee held its second meeting, retired Bombay High Court Judge Justice RC Chavan has resigned from the panel, citing differences over the process of seeking public feedback and questioning the alleged presence and role of a non-member at the meeting.

The seven-member committee, headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Desai, was set up in July to draft rules and recommendations for implementing UCC in the state.

Justice Chavan sent his resignation on September 19, hours after the committee held an online meeting. The state government accepted it on Monday.

Phone calls and messages to Justice Desai seeking her comment went unanswered.

In his email to the committee, Justice Chavan said one of the agendas of the meeting was to finalise the questionnaire for public feedback on the UCC. He said, “Three members tried to articulate their views, such as respondents being required to answer only in yes or no, or the need to have the questionnaire quickly examined professionally by professors under the supervision of member Dr Suvarna Rawal. The honourable chairperson had already circulated the questionnaire finalised by her and stated that it would be uploaded once the website was ready. Thus, the third and the last item on the agenda of today’s meeting was over. Therefore, to save time and internet, I logged out.”

“My attempt to put forth my views, even though the questionnaire finalised by the honourable chairperson had already been mailed, was due to my misunderstanding that our exercise was aimed at gathering the views of the people of Maharashtra, and to generate a consensus to remedy the issues of late marriages, perversions, infertility, unstable marriage, time-consuming dispute resolution mechanism, etc. Now that it is removed, I realise that the aim is to just provide an opportunity to people who may care, to share their responses in a yes or no to the questions posed so that analysis of data becomes easy,” he said.

The email also alleged that a non-member attended the meeting. The non-member said the website prepared by the state officials needed further modifications, and the committee chairperson directed the authorities to make the necessary changes within a week, Justice Chavan said.

Story continues below this ad

He said he did not know where the person fit, and added that the non-member’s suggestion made him speculate that the state’s officials may feel they are not competent. “To solve this problem, I am vacating my seat on the committee by resigning now, so that the government can fill in the blank promptly,” he said, adding that as a free citizen, he would be free to air his views. “It was a great learning experience on a subject close to my heart,” he said.

The meeting’s three-point agenda included confirming the minutes of the previous meeting held last month, and discussion on the website for feedback and opinion on the UCC.

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise  Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram