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Who is Ranjana Desai? The Former Supreme Court Judge Drafting Gujarat’s UCC After Uttarakhand

Justice Ranjana Desai, former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed to lead Gujarat’s UCC drafting committee, following her successful role in drafting Uttarakhand’s UCC. The committee, formed by CM Bhupendra Patel, has 45 days to submit its report.

 
Who is Ranjana Desai? The Former Supreme Court Judge Drafting Gujarat’s UCC After Uttarakhand

After successfully overseeing the drafting of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai has now been appointed by the Gujarat government to lead the state’s UCC drafting committee. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the formation of the panel, which includes four other members and has been given 45 days to submit its report.

With this, Gujarat becomes the second state in India to move forward with a UCC draft, once again entrusting Justice Desai, who played a key role in preparing Uttarakhand’s UCC report.

Who is Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai?

Born in Mumbai in 1949, Ranjana Desai pursued her law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai, after graduating from Elphinstone College. Initially, her father, S.G. Samant, a renowned lawyer, opposed her decision to study law, preferring that she study Economics in London. However, Desai chose her legal career, despite resistance from both her father and father-in-law.

She was appointed as a judge in the Bombay High Court in 1996 and later elevated to the Supreme Court in 2011. Though her tenure in the apex court lasted only three years, she delivered several landmark judgments.

Career Highlights and Notable Judgments

Ajmal Kasab's Execution: Justice Desai was part of the bench that upheld the death penalty for 26/11 Mumbai terror attack convict Ajmal Kasab.
Black Money Case: She criticized the central government’s approach towards tackling black money.
Gunda Act Ruling: She ruled that no person can be detained under the Goonda Act for more than 12 months.
Right of Court to Summon Witnesses: She asserted that a court holds the power to summon any witness at any time.
Sahara vs. SEBI Case: She was part of the historic judgment in the Sahara-Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) case.
Early Career: From ₹35 as First Fee to a Supreme Court Judge
In an article for Indian Advocate, Justice Desai recalled earning ₹35 for her first legal case, where she successfully secured bail for a long-imprisoned client. This victory marked the beginning of her distinguished career in law.

Post-Retirement Roles

Since retiring, Justice Desai has led several important commissions, including:

Delimitation Commission
UCC Drafting Panel for Uttarakhand
Now, the UCC Drafting Panel for Gujarat

Conclusion

Justice Ranjana Desai’s appointment to lead Gujarat’s UCC draft signifies her continued influence in shaping legal reforms in India. With her vast judicial experience and history of landmark rulings, her leadership in the Gujarat UCC committee is expected to bring significant legal insights and recommendations.

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