Shivani Thakur
Published on: April 11, 2022 at 18:21 IST
The Union Law Ministry Kiren Rijiju told the Rajya Sabha, the committee formed to study and recommend reforms in criminal laws in the country was sanctioned Rs. 45,40,000 to cover its expenses.
“A Committee under the Chairpersonship of the Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi and four other Members was constituted on 02.03.2020 by Ministry of Home Affairs to suggest reforms in the Criminal Laws of the Country. A sum of Rs.45,40,000/- (Rupees Forty-Five Lakhs Forty Thousand only) was allocated to the National Law University to meet expenditure on the honorarium, consultation fee, etc. The Committee invited suggestions through a questionnaire based on secondary research and inputs from experts uploaded on its website which received response from various organizations, Research centers, Academics, Lawyers, and Civil Societies from across the Country,” Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju reply to a Parliamentary question asked by the CPI Member Binoy Viswam.
He also shared information that on February 27, 2022, the Committee submitted its recommendations on Amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C), and the Indian Evidence Act, after ‘Extensive Stake Holders’ Consultation and Research.
Lawyers, former Judges and Academicians alike expressed concerns over its lack of Diversity and Transparency, when the Committee was formed in 2020.
In response, the Committee said that it respects all Opinions and Suggestions made to it, and that it would upload all relevant updates on its website in the Interest of Transparency.
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