Former Judge R C Chavan Resigns from Maharashtra UCC Panel, Raises Concerns Over Functioning The Indian Express

Mumbai, Sep 22: Retired Bombay High Court judge Justice R C Chavan has resigned from Maharashtra’s committee tasked with preparing a draft for implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), citing differences over its functioning and the process of seeking public feedback. The Times of India
Chavan submitted his resignation on September 19, shortly after the committee’s second meeting. The state government subsequently accepted it.
In his resignation letter, Chavan questioned the manner in which several issues were handled during the meetings. He said agenda items, including confirmation of minutes, changes to the committee’s website and finalisation of a questionnaire, were dealt with without sufficient discussion. The New Indian Express
He also expressed reservations about the questionnaire intended to collect public views on the proposed UCC. According to his letter, suggestions from committee members on seeking detailed responses on subjects such as late marriages, infertility, marital disputes and mechanisms for resolving conflicts were not incorporated after the questionnaire had already been finalised.
Chavan further raised concerns over the participation of an individual who was not listed as a committee member. He questioned the person’s role in the panel’s proceedings and the need for their involvement in discussions concerning the committee’s website.
The seven-member committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai, was constituted by the Maharashtra government in July to prepare recommendations for implementing the UCC in the state. Its members include former High Court judge S G Mehare, former Maharashtra chief secretary D K Jain, former advocate general Virendra Saraf, constitutional expert Ramesh Patange and educationist Suvarna Rawal. Moneycontrol
The panel has been given six months to examine the legal, social, cultural and administrative aspects of a common civil code and submit its recommendations. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the government intends to move ahead with implementation after receiving the committee’s report and is targeting the winter session of the state legislature for introducing legislation. ThePrint
The resignation comes as Maharashtra continues its consultations on the UCC, which concerns personal-law matters including marriage, divorce and inheritance. The development also follows recent discussion over the pace of the committee’s work and the scope of public consultation. The Indian Express