Mokokchung, August 4 (MTNews): The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 which granted statutory cover to family courts set up in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland and was passed by the Lok Sabha last week, was approved by the Rajya Sabha today via voice vote amidst protests from the Opposition, led by Congress members, who claimed the government had misused the Enforcement Directorate.
The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill amends the Family Courts Act, 1984 which seek to insert a provision in sub-section 3 of section 1 to provide for the establishment of family courts in Himachal Pradesh with effect from February 15, 2019 and in Nagaland with effect from September 12, 2008.
The bill also seeks to insert a new section 3A to retrospectively validate all actions under the act taken by the governments of Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland and the family courts of these states.
In 2008, two family courts were established in Nagaland and three in Himachal Pradesh in 2019 through notifications issued by the respective state governments.
The issue came to the fore when the Himachal Pradesh High Court impleaded the Centre as a party in a petition challenging the formation of family courts.
As soon as the bill was cleared, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the House for the day.