Week on, Punjab Govt yet to zero in on former AG Atul Nanda’s successor
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 25
The government, it seems, is unable to decide the next Advocate-General of the state. It is believed to have finalised three names in quick succession in the past three days, but appointed none.
Senior advocate APS Deol was “chosen” for the post, but could not be appointed till late Saturday evening. His name triggered a debate as he was counsel of ex-top cop Sumedh Saini and IG Paramraj Singh Umaranangal. Among other things, it was said Punjab required a competent criminal lawyer as Advocate-General. But that did not mean Saini’s counsel could be made the AG. There was a conflict of interest as Saini’s name had cropped up in the Behbal Kalan case. Deol’s name was reportedly cleared by CM Charanjit Channi and the file was in the process of being placed before the Governor. But the process could not be completed.
In an earlier last-minute turnaround, the government reportedly decided to appoint senior advocate Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu as the AG after initially promising the post to senior advocate DS Patwalia, who was offered the post by Channi. PCC chief Navjot Sidhu was also in favour of Patwalia but the file could not be signed as the CM left for Kapurthala and then Delhi. Patwalia’s name led to a whisper campaign in the corridors of power. The Additional Solicitor-General’s post held by his brother, PS Patwalia, during the NDA government’s first tenure was used against him.
