Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Mumbai on Sunday. (Express Photo by Akash Patil)Maharashtra’s seven-member committee, tasked with preparing the state’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) draft, has met only once even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah set a 2029 deadline to implement the proposal in all 21 BJP NDA-ruled states.Addressing a gathering on Sunday, Amit Shah announced that UCC would be implemented in all NDA-ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.A day later, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Maharashtra committee was preparing the draft, and UCC implementation would begin soon after. In fact, Fadnavis also said the state government aims to table the UCC Bill in the Assembly during the winter session in December.Also Read | Why Amit Shah's 2029 UCC push is going through states, not ParliamentIn July, the committee was granted six months’ time to submit its report. Headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai, it has met only once.The committee also includes former Bombay High Court (HC) judges RC Chavan and SG Mehare, former Maharashtra Chief Secretary D K Jain, former Advocate General Birendra Saraf, social activist and Padma Shri awardee Ramesh Patange, and education expert Suvarna Rawal.Officials said the committee met once last month and is expected to meet again soon to decide on the process for preparing the draft and recommendations. The panel is also likely to seek public views before finalising its draft.Also in Explained | How the Uniform Civil Code came to be included in the Indian ConstitutionA questionnaire on UCC-related issues such as marriage, divorce, live-in relationships, inheritance and adoption will also be prepared to seek and gather views from stakeholders and the public, including youngsters, officials said.Story continues below this adThe consultation could be carried out through a website, similar to the process followed in Uttarakhand, and may also involve legal and paralegal volunteers, officials said.Uttarakhand became the first state to implement the UCC in January 2025. Gujarat, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh have since passed UCC Bills, but their laws are awaiting final approval from the President, according to the state government.Amit Shah’s announcement on Sunday came as the BJP-led NDA seeks to take the UCC to all 21 states under its rule before the next Lok Sabha election. In Maharashtra, the government’s next step is to prepare the state draft and committee recommendations.Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram