NEW DELHI: The Central Government on Monday appointed Justice Rituraj Awasthi, Retired High Court Chief Justice of Karnataka as Chairperson of the Law Commission of India alongwith five members for the commission.
The Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted in this regard stating, “The Central Government is pleased to appoint Justice Rituraj Awasthi, Retired HC Chief Justice as Chairperson, Law Commission of India and Justice KT Sankaran, Prof Anand Paliwal, Prof DP Verma, Prof (Dr) Raka Arya and Shri M. Karunanithi as Members of the Commission.
Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi was Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court from October 11, 2021, to July 2, 2022. He was a Judge of Allahabad High Court from April 13, 2009, to October 10, 2021. Justice Rituraj Awasthi Graduated in Law from Lucknow University in the year 1986 and enrolled as an Advocate on Feb 01, 1987. He earlier practised in Civil, Service, and Educational matters at Lucknow Bench, Allahabad high court. He also worked as Asst. Solicitor General of India at Lucknow before elevation.
By appointing a new Chairperson and other five panel members for the Law Commission of India, the Central Government has reinstated it. The last chairman of the Commission retired in August 2018, and since then, it has not been reconstituted.
The Commission’s function is to research and advise the Government of India on legal reform, and is composed of legal experts, and headed by a retired judge. The commission is established for a fixed tenure and works as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The Law Commission’s role has been both advisory and critical of the government’s policies. The Supreme Court of India and academia have recognized the commission as pioneering and perspective. In a number of decisions, the Supreme Court has referred to the work done by the commission and followed its recommendations. (ANI)