Consider the following judicial reforms during the British period:

1. Lord Wellesley introduced the concept of separation of powers by dividing revenue and judicial functions.

2. William Bentinck abolished the Provincial Courts of Appeal and Circuit Courts.

3. Lord Macaulay drafted the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 1837, which was later enacted under Lord Canning.

4. Lord Lytton actively supported the Ilbert Bill in 1883.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• It was Lord Cornwallis (not Wellesley) who introduced the separation of revenue and judicial functions during his tenure as Governor-General (1786–1793). Hence, statement 1 is incorrect
• Lord William Bentinck abolished the Provincial Courts of Appeal and Circuit Courts in 1831 as part of his judicial reforms to streamline the administration. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Lord Macaulay drafted the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 1837, but it was enacted in 1860 during the tenure of Lord Canning. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• It was Lord Ripon (not Lord Lytton) who supported the Ilbert Bill in 1883. Lord Lytton was known for his repressive policies, such as the Vernacular Press Act. Hence statement 4 is incorrect.

Additional Information

• Reforms under Warren Hastings (1772–1785):
  • Introduced the Diwani Adalat (civil court) and Faujdari Adalat (criminal court).
  • Established Sadar Diwani Adalat (Supreme Civil Court) and Sadar Nizamat Adalat (Supreme Criminal Court).
  • Codified Hindu and Muslim laws for civil cases.
• Reforms under Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793):
  • Separated revenue and judicial functions.
  • Introduced the Permanent Settlement (1793) for land revenue.
  • Established lower courts (District Courts) and appellate courts.
  • Introduced the Cornwallis Code (1793) to regulate judicial administration.
• Reforms under Lord William Bentinck (1828–1835):
  • Abolished the Provincial Courts of Appeal and Circuit Courts (1831).
  • Introduced Indian judges in lower courts.
  • Focused on reducing delays and backlogs in the judicial system.
• Reforms under Lord Macaulay:
  • Drafted the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 1837 (enacted in 1860 under Lord Canning).
  • Drafted the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and Civil Procedure Code (CPC).
• Reforms under Lord Canning (1856–1862):
  • Enacted the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 1860.
  • Established High Courts in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras (1861) under the Indian High Courts Act, 1861.
• Reforms under Lord Ripon (1880–1884):
  • Introduced the Ilbert Bill (1883) to allow Indian judges to try European offenders (faced strong opposition).
  • Focused on decentralization and local self-government.