Law Commission takes exception to SC remark on tardiness

NEW DELHI: Law Commission chairman Justice A R Lakshmanan has expressed anguish at the Supreme Court’s recent remark that the body takes a long time to give its opinion on burning legal issues. The apex court was peeved at the poor response of the Centre to the urgent need for a legislation to protect acid attack victims and was wondering whether it could take a cue from its small neighbouring country, Bangladesh, which had enacted three laws to safeguard the victims. Additional solicitor general Mohan Parasaran said the government was seriously considering the legislative options and would take into account the views of National Commission for Women and the Law Commission, which is working on it. The Bench of three judges said that the Law Commission took years to give its view on important issues and impressed upon the government the urgent need to protect acid attack victims. Justice Lakshmanan, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, said he was pained at the "uncharitable comments allegedly made by the Supreme Court against the Law Commission prompted by the incorrect statement made by Parasaran". He said the commission had already informed the apex court that as no relief was sought against it by the petitioner, its name could be deleted from the list of parties, though it was willing to assist the court on the issue. D P Sharma, member-secretary of the commission said: "It was incorrect on behalf of the ASG to state that the Law Commission was considering the matter and was likely to give a report. Before making such a statement before the Supreme Court, the ASG should have contacted the Law Commission. The commission has not received any reference from the Government of India for drafting any legislation to deal with ‘acid attacks’." "However, the Law Commission has taken up the matter and is working on it," he added.
4 May 2008, 0215 hrs IST , TNN
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