HC seeks State's response on AG post
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 13 2012:
The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench has demanded a response from the State Government and the Union Law Ministry within four weeks, on failure of appointing a new Advocate General of Manipur till date.
An order to this effect was issued by a division Bench of Gauhati High Court comprising Justice DK Sharma and Justice CR Sharma following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Ningthoujam Churchill against the Chief Secretary, Law Secretary, Governor to Secretary and the Union Law Ministry.
In the hearing of the case filed by N Churchill with M Devananda as the Counsel, the Court pointed out that the post of Advocate General of Manipur is a Constitutional post created under Article 165 of the Constitution of India.
The post is equivalent to that of a Cabinet rank.
The State Governor is to appoint the State Advocate General from among the advocates who are fit and qualified to be a Judge of a High Court. The post of AG was earlier held by N Kotishwar.
The post has lying vacant ever since he has been appointed as Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court in spite of the presence of a number of qualified advocates for the post of AG.
The PIL was piled considering the troubles faced by the people and the problems created in the proceedings of the court.