Report No. 22
Christian Marriage and Matrimonial Clauses Bill, 1961
1. Genesis of the Report.-
The Ministry of Law referred to the previous Law Commission the subject of revision of the law relating to marriage and divorce amongst Christians in India. On receipt of the reference, the present Commission prepared a draft Bill, and circulated it for comments to the State Governments, High Courts, High Court Bar Associations and other interested bodies and persons, including several Churches and other organisations of Christians. The Commission also recorded the evidence of a number of persons on the subject.
After considering the comments received and the oral evidence recorded, the Commission submitted its Report on the subject, being the 15th Report of the Commission Law relating to Marriage and Divorce amongst Christians in India). In conformity with the usual practice of the Commission, the Report discussed the main changes recommended in the law and contained an Appendix which showed, in the form of a draft Bill, the recommendations of the Commission.
The Ministry of Law, in implementation of the Report of the Commission, prepared a formal Bill for approval of Government before introduction in Parliament. It was, however, decided by the Government that public opinion should again be elicited on the Bill and that this should be done through the Law Commission. That is how the matter has come up again before the Commission.
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