The report of the Kerala Law Reforms Commission, which suggested repealing of numerous redundant laws and enactment of new ones, stands testimony to jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer’s commitment to the State’s legal landscape.
The commission, with Mr. Krishna Iyer as chairman, had suggested 29 bills for amending existing legislations, 66 new bills for enacting new legislations, and nine bills for amending rules and regulations.
The report had enough ammunition to stir up controversies as it addressed sensitive issues such as legalising euthanasia and proposed a single enactment on laws relating to Christian marriage. The Bill titled “The Kerala Christian Marriage Bill” was intended to achieve the objective of unification, modification, and modernisation of marriage laws.
T.V. Ramakrishnan, vice chairman of the commission, pointed out that the report was to be seen as a service rendered to Kerala society by Mr. Krishna Iyer in terms of a comprehensive legal makeover. Such an endeavour was unique in the entire country and took almost two years to complete. Yet, none of the members of the commission accepted any remuneration for the work. Mr. Krishna Iyer’s home, “Sadgamaya,” was the office of the commission.
On his decision not to accept salary or perks for the job, Mr. Krishna Iyer wrote in the Chairman’s prolegomenon: “I am against retired judges hungering for lucre and power. I never drew a salary or perks or car or bungalow as Chairman of Commissions appointed by the State, Centre or Unesco or public organisation. To serve on a commission is a duty, not a lucrative occupation.”
P.S. Gopinathan, a former judge of the Kerala High Court, who had served as the member- secretary of the commission, felt Mr. Krishna Iyer evaluated just about every single piece of existing legislation, envisioning new ones, and deciding on the ingredients. Though the Law Department had helped him in the drafting process, most of the thinking in terms of concepts and elements of legislations were his own, Mr. Gopinathan said.
Sebastian Paul, a former legislator and also a member of the commission, remembered it as a mammoth task, singlehandedly accomplished by the jurist.
Mr. Krishna Iyer’s mine of experience gained over a lifetime in his different roles as lawyer, Law Minister, judge of the High Court and Supreme Court and activist, poured into the preparation of the report, he said.
