Addl Solicitor Gen’s role kicks up row

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, March 29

Two local advocates who had challenged the alleged holding of multiple votes by Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi and his family members, today contested the appearance of an Additional Solicitor General of India as a counsel for Joshi in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging it was a violation of the norms.

Advocates Vaneet Mahajan and Sandeep Gorsi have written to the President, Chief Justice of India, Law Ministry, Bar Councils of India and the HC, seeking action against Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain.

Jain, former BJP MP from Chandigarh, said he had performed his duties within the stipulated parameters. “Their application was dismissed by the Judge yesterday. Earlier, their writ petition was dismissed in the HC and a fine of Rs50,000 was imposed on them. They are neither complainants nor accused,” he claimed.

Mahajan alleged it was a violation of law officers’ service rules for an Additional Solicitor General to indulge in private practice. “There are clear restrictions on the law officer to hold briefs in the court or defend an accused in a criminal case,” he said.