Advocate Hitesh Jain has resigned as a full-time member of the 23rd Law Commission of India, with his resignation formally accepted by the President, marking a key administrative change in the Commission’s functioning under Justice (Retd.) Dinesh Maheshwari.
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NEW DELHI: Advocate Hitesh Jain has resigned from his position as a member of the 23rd Law Commission of India, the Union Law Ministry announced on Thursday. His resignation has been formally accepted by the President of India, taking effect from October 29.
Appointment and Role in the Law Commission
Jain was appointed on April 15 as one of the full-time members of the 23rd Law Commission, which is headed by Justice (Retd.) Dinesh Maheshwari, former judge of the Supreme Court of India. His appointment came as part of a broader effort to strengthen the Commission’s capacity for legal research, recommendations, and reform proposals.
About the 23rd Law Commission
The current Law Commission was constituted on September 3 last year with a three-year term. The body plays a crucial role in reviewing existing laws, proposing legal reforms, and advising the government on complex legal issues.
Recent Administrative Changes
The Law Ministry also noted another key transition: Reeta Vasishta, the Commission’s Member Secretary, recently retired. Following her retirement, Anju Rathi Rana, the Law Secretary, has been assigned additional charge as Member Secretary to ensure continuity in the Commission’s functioning.
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Law Commission of India
The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body under the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. Since Independence, 22 commissions have submitted 289 reports, influencing major laws like the Code of Criminal Procedure (1973) and the Right to Education Act (2009). Its recommendations are advisory and not binding. Typically, the Commission is chaired by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge, with members including legal scholars and occasionally serving judges.
23rd Law Commission
- Composition: Full-time chairperson, four full-time members, ex-officio members, the Secretary of Legal Affairs and Legislative Departments, and up to five part-time members. Appointments are made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
- Responsibilities: Identify obsolete laws, audit laws affecting marginalized groups, advise on referred legislation, review laws in light of Directive Principles, suggest reforms in judicial administration, and assess globalisation’s impact on food security and employment.
The 22nd Law Commission (Feb 2020 – Aug 2023) worked on reports on the Uniform Civil Code and simultaneous elections. It recommended retaining Section 124A (sedition law) with clarifications due to internal security concerns.
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