LG declares invalid panel of lawyers appointed by AAP govt

Citing alleged procedural lapses, Lt Governor Anil Baijal has declared as "invalid" the panel of fourteen lawyers appointed by the Delhi government for appearance in cases before Delhi High Court, in yet another flashpoint between him and the AAP dispensation.

Fuming at the LG's decision, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today attacked Baijal, saying he should do something constructive for once, instead of rejecting every proposal of the AAP government.

The panel scrapped by the LG included prominent lawyers like Indira Jaising, Rebecca Mammen John, Colin Gonsalves, among others.

In his written communication to Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash last week, L-G's Principal Secretary Vijay Kumar said the orders regarding the panel of lawyers had allegedly been issued without obtaining the approval of the Lt Governor.

"These (orders) have also not been issued in the manner specified under Section 44 (2) GNCTD Act and have not been authenticated in the manner provided under Section 44 (3) of the said Act...," it stated.

Following the direction by the L-G office, the chief secretary has written to principal secretaries and secretaries, stating "Therefore, all concerned may kindly note that the said orders (regarding empanelment of lawyers) of November 29, 2017 and January 18, 2028 have not been validly issued in view of the material infirmities...."