Should tweaks to UCC be considered: HC to Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand HC on Thursday asked the state whether fresh suggestions should be invited and amendments considered for Uniform Civil Code (UCC). A division bench of Justices Manoj Tiwari and Ashish Naithani made the observation while hearing two petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the UCC Act and Rules. One petition was filed by activists, including Uma Bhatt, and another by a live-in couple. The court directed the state to file a counter by April 1.

Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for the petitioners, argued the UCC creates an "excessive surveillance regime, policing personal choices within the right to privacy." She contended that it establishes a framework for inquiry, authorisation, and penalisation of partner choices. The court asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta whether the state should reconsider its provisions.

Chief standing counsel C S Rawat said the court orally asked the SG to request the state legislature to implement necessary modifications. Grover said the law, presented as a safeguard for women, could lead to harassment and social coercion. She also challenged the mandatory Aadhaar linkage for registration, citing SC's Puttaswamy ruling on privacy.

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