NEW DELHI: Joining the debate over the contentious sedition law, the newly-appointed Law Commission Chairman Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan on Tuesday said it needs “reconsideration” and that they would take the views of all stakeholders before arriving at any decision.
Chauhan’s comments assume significance as it comes against the backdrop of the government informing Parliament last week that it was awaiting the commission’s report before taking a stand on the issue.
“Actually it (sedition law) requires reconsideration. We do not know what is the problem, what are the difficulties. We will hear all the stakeholders, consult criminal lawyers,” the former Supreme Court judge said.
He said the recently-reconstituted 21st Law Commission “cannot jump to conclusion” before understanding the difficulties relating to section 124 A of the IPC dealing with sedition. Priority for the Commission, he said, was to come out with a report on a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system, including a relook at the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act.