Gurminder Singh resigns as Punjab Advocate-General; Maninderjit Bedi notified as successor

Advocate Maninderjit Singh Bedi was on Sunday appointed Punjab Advocate-General, hours after senior advocate Gurminder Singh resigned from the post earlier during the day. Bedi is believed to be one of the youngest Advocates-General of Punjab in the recallable past.

Just 44, Bedi, belonging to Rampura Phul, was in the Punjab AG office as Additional Advocate-General. Bedi is the fourth Advocate-General (AG) to be appointed for the State of Punjab by the AAP Government after it came to power in March 2022.

Anmol Rattan Sidhu was the first AG in the AAP Government. Senior Advocate Vinod Ghai was appointed AG after Sidhu resigned in July 2022. He, in turn, was replaced by Gurminder Singh, who was appointed AG in October 2023.

In a related issue, Punjab Governor extended the term of 215 law officers till April 30. These include 24 Additional AGs, and 21 Senior Deputy AGs. The government also appointed Anu Chatrath as Senior Additional AG.

Bedi takes charge at a time when the state is under intense scrutiny over multiple challenges, including the ongoing farmers’ agitation, its struggle to contain the drug menace, and the steady release of drug case accused on bail due to prolonged detention caused by police failure to testify as witnesses. Adding to the turmoil is the recent clash between the police and an Army official in an assault case. Beyond these issues, the AG will also have to navigate the contentious Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute between Punjab and Haryana, which remains unresolved after an inconclusive meeting between the Chief Ministers in December 2023.

The previous AG, Gurminder, resigned from the post this afternoon, a day after he expressed his reluctance to continue on the post, citing his intent to return to private practice. In the resignation letter, dated March 30 and handed over to the Chief Minister this afternoon, Gurminder Singh conveyed his intent to return to private practice.

Gurminder played a key role in major legal battles for the state, including defending the Chief Secretary and the DGP in the farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal contempt matter, and ensuring the dismissal of contempt proceedings related to the farmers’ blockade at Khanauri and Shambhu.