Guwahati: A growing dispute between Meghalaya’s legal fraternity and Advocate General Amit Kumar has escalated, with two prominent Bar associations severing ties with the state’s top law officer and demanding his removal from the post, officials said on Friday.
The High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association took the decision at a joint Extraordinary General Body Meeting held recently, attended by more than 400 advocates.
The meeting followed objections to alleged remarks made by Kumar before the Meghalaya High Court during proceedings in a suo motu case concerning the alleged public assault and parading of an advocate in Shillong.
The two associations have since removed Kumar from their rolls and resolved that their members would no longer recognise him as the Advocate General of Meghalaya. They have also urged the state government to remove him from the constitutional post.
The immediate dispute relates to Kumar’s alleged submission before the High Court that the Bar associations had failed to adequately ensure the safety of women lawyers and provide them with a secure working environment.
The associations reportedly objected to what they considered sweeping allegations against the legal fraternity.
The remarks were made during proceedings concerning an incident in which an advocate was allegedly dragged from his chamber and publicly paraded through Shillong by members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF).
The lawyer had earlier faced allegations of molesting an intern.
Following the incident, the two Bar associations approached Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere, alleging lapses by authorities in preventing the assault and public humiliation of the advocate.
A Bench of Chief Justice Dere and Justice W Diengdoh, during the July 31 hearing, observed that the police appeared to have failed to intervene despite being present at the scene.
The court was subsequently informed on August 3 that four HNYF members had been arrested.
The Bar associations later sought an explanation from Kumar over his remarks, but his response reportedly failed to resolve the disagreement.
Meanwhile, the High Court has separately examined concerns regarding the safety and dignity of women advocates and young interns.
The State Bar Council and Bar Council of India have been brought into the proceedings and asked to address the issue.
The suo motu case will next be heard on August 19. The demand for Kumar’s removal as Advocate General now rests with the Meghalaya government.
(IANS)
