Justice Basha Commission asks for more time to complete consultations on anti-honour killing law: Minister

A commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice KN Basha, set up by the Tamil Nadu government to recommend legislation to prevent caste-based crimes committed in the name of honour, has asked for more time to complete its consultations, Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu said on Wednesday.

Speaking to Secretariat reporters in Chennai after attending a review meeting of the Department of Social Justice chaired by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the Minister said the Commission was still accepting petitions and statements from victims through social activists and had also sought the views of political parties.

“Justice Basha Commission is still accepting petitions and submissions from victims through social activists. It has also sought views of political parties. So far, VCK and CPI(M) have submitted their submissions to the Commission. We have informed the Chief Minister in this regard. As the consultation process is still going on, Justice Basha has asked for more time,” he said.

The Ministry of Social Justice has asked the Chief Minister for additional budget funds. The allocation for this department would see a substantial increase in this year’s budget, he said, adding that the state government is taking measures to provide pets to every eligible SC/ST family and the Chief Minister will make an announcement in this regard soon.

The minister further said that social justice hostels across the state would be upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern libraries. He also said that the number of seats under the Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Program for Study Abroad will be increased from the current 180 as the Chief Minister has given his approval.

Published – Jul 9, 2026 0:06 AM IST