KOCHI: In a scathing comment on the office of the Advocate General’s office and the “inefficient” government pleaders, the Kerala High Court on Thursday observed that it would be better to wind up AG’s Office.
The criticism levelled by Justice Alexander Thomas, while considering cases related to Operation Kubera that targeted illegal money lenders, resulted in several dramatic events that lasted till evening.
Advocate General K P Dandapani, Director General of Prosecutions T Asaf Ali and Additional Advocate General K A Jaleel met Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan at the chamber to express apprehensions over the controversial observation. Justice Alexander Thomas observed that even though the AG’s office has 120 government pleaders, the conduct of government cases is not proper.
They failed to provide details as and when asked by the court. There is a tendency that pleader who conducts cases in very good manner are being removed, the Judge pointed out. The AG’s office is not taking efforts to comply with the orders passed by the courts.
The judge observed that Advocate General should follow the example of the office of the Advocate General in Tamil Nadu, which is handling cases like Mullaperiyar perfectly. If time permits AG should visit the office of his Tamil Nadu counterpart in person. The court also observed that if the appointment of Government pleaders were on the basis of political leniency it would have been better. If the government is inefficient, the cases should be given to private lawyers.
The court also flayed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for criticising Attorney General for appearing in the bar case.
When another case related to money laundering came up for hearing, the judge said an undeclared emergency was prevailing in the state with the police creating terror. “Anti-Kubera drive of the police has become anti-Kuchela. The police should be ashamed of its conduct. Somebody is making money. Entire political class is behind this,” the Bench observed.
After the court’s remarks, AG, DGP and AAG appeared before the Single Bench. However the court continued the hearing of cases till 4.30 pm.
According to sources a formal complaint will be filed before the Chief Justice against the judge by the Advocate General office.
Full Faith in AG: CM
T’Puram: The government has full faith in the Advocate General’s office, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. However Chandy avoided further questions on HC’s criticisms against the AG’s office.