Headless for six months, Law panel to get new chief

Six months after the Law Commission of India was rendered headless, the government’s hunt for its new chief appears to be over.

Six months after the Law Commission of India was rendered headless, the government’s hunt for its new chief appears to be over.

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The law ministry has recommended the name of former Supreme Court judge, P.V Reddy, to be the new chairperson of the body, that advises it on complex legal issues, HT has learnt.

“The name of Justice Reddy has been recommended to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet,” ministry sources said. Justice Reddy, who also served as the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, retired from the Supreme Court in August 2005.

Major judgments delivered by Justice Reddy include the 2001 parliament attack case. The bench headed by him had upheld the death sentence of Mohammad Afzal.

The commission has been in a limbo since the term of its previous chairman, Justice A. R. Lakshmanan ended on July 31, 2009. The ministry finalised the name of Justice Reddy, after efforts by law minister M. Veerappa Moily to persuade former Supreme Court judge, B.N. Srikrishna did not succeed, sources said.

Justice Lakshmanan was reportedly keen to continue, since he had not completed a three year-tenure.

Sources said Justice Lakshmanan continued to stay in his official residence and paid a market rent of Rs 1.5 lakh per month, in the hope of getting an extension. The ministry, however, denied any information of the views of Justice Lakshmanan. “No offer was made to him on behalf of the ministry that he would continue in the new commission,” sources said.