KK Venugopal to continue as Attorney General for one more year

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 13

Noted constitutional expert KK Venugopal will continue as the Attorney General for India for one more year, sources said.

He has accepted the Government’s request to serve as the top law officer of the country beyond June 30 when his current three-year tenure expires, they said.

Responding to the Centre’s communication with regard to giving him a new tenure, the 89-year-old veteran senior advocate said he would prefer to have just a one-year fresh stint in view of his advance age, they said.

The Government’s decision to continue with Venugopal as the Attorney General comes at a time when the Supreme Court is seized of petitions challenging the validity of nullification of Article 370 of the Constitution and Citizenship Amendment Act.

During his current term, he successfully defended the NDA Government in many high-stakes matters, including Rafael fighter jet deal and Aadhaar cases.

A recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awards, Venugopal was appointed as the 15th Attorney General in June 2017 after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi decided to step down for personal reasons. He had also served an Additional Solicitor General during the Morarji Desai-led Janata Party Government.