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. Many Government Pleaders appearing for the state are recommended by either businessmen or liquor barons. According to sources a formal complaint will be filed before the Chief Justice against the judge by the Advocate General office.