West Bengal Government Forms Committee to Review Uniform Civil Code Draft
The West Bengal government has taken a significant step by forming a committee to review the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Chaired by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, the committee aims to create a comprehensive legal framework for personal civil matters applicable to all citizens, regardless of their religion or community. The bill is expected to be presented in the upcoming assembly session in August. This initiative aligns with the BJP's electoral promises and reflects ongoing discussions about civil law reforms in the state. Stay informed about the latest developments in national politics and legal matters.
Jul 11, 2026, 14:43 IST
Committee Established to Oversee UCC Draft
The West Bengal government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, has established a nine-member committee to review the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill. This initiative marks a significant step towards fulfilling the BJP's electoral promise in the state. Reports suggest that the bill may be introduced during the assembly session in August.
Committee Composition and Objectives
The committee is chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, with eight other members including former Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy; IAS officer Dushyant Nariyala; retired IAS officer Shatrughan Singh; Home Department Principal Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh; retired Associate Professor Dr. Ratna Bhattacharya from Bangabasi College; former Vice-Chancellor of Gour Banga University Gopal Chandra Mishra; lawyer Osman Ghani Malik from the Calcutta High Court; and former Executive Director of the region Nirmalya Bhattacharya.
Notification and Draft Bill Details
On July 10, the state's judicial department issued a notification regarding this initiative. Prior to this, the state's Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal met with Justice Desai in New Delhi. The notification indicates that the state government has already prepared a draft bill titled 'Uniform Civil Code, West Bengal, 2026'. The aim of this bill is to create a comprehensive legal framework for personal civil matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance without a will, and inheritance through a will, applicable to all citizens regardless of their religion, belief, or community.
Timeline for Review and Recommendations
On July 2, the cabinet led by Suvendu Adhikari approved the formation of this committee under Justice Desai to review the UCC bill draft. Justice Desai has previously chaired similar UCC committees in BJP-ruled states like Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh. The committee will have four weeks to examine the draft law and submit its recommendations, after which it will be presented to the assembly.
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