Vishnu Deo Sai appoints panel led by Ranjana Prakash Desai to explore Uniform Civil Code implementation
April 15, 2026: The Chhattisgarh cabinet has decided to form a committee to examine the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), appointing retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai as its head. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who has also been authorised to nominate other members of the panel.
The government said personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance are currently governed by different religion-based laws, leading to complexities and inequality in legal processes. It emphasised that Article 44 of the Constitution encourages the adoption of a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens. The committee will gather feedback from citizens, organisations and experts, possibly through a dedicated web portal, before preparing its recommendations.
Based on the panel’s report, a draft proposal will be placed before the cabinet and later introduced in the state assembly. The UCC remains a politically sensitive issue, with states like Uttarakhand and Gujarat already moving forward with similar laws, while Madhya Pradesh has also announced plans for a committee. Justice Desai has previously played a key role in drafting UCC frameworks in other states, adding experience to the Chhattisgarh initiative.