Lawyers across Meghalaya intensified their agitation on Tuesday, October 7, demanding the removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar, alleging that he continued appearing in courts despite an assurance from the state government.
Addressing the media after a rally in Shillong, Kishore Gautam said the lawyers had earlier met Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, following which an assurance was given that Amit Kumar would not appear before the Meghalaya High Court or any other court or tribunal in the state.
However, Gautam alleged that Kumar subsequently continued to appear in both the High Court and trial courts.
“After the meeting with the Chief Minister, an assurance was once again given to us that Mr. Amit Kumar will not appear in the High Court or any of the courts or tribunals in the state of Meghalaya,” Gautam said.
He said he had personally informed the Chief Minister through SMS and WhatsApp about Kumar’s continued appearances, after being given the Chief Minister’s contact number during their earlier meeting.
Gautam said the lawyers were subsequently compelled to take the “drastic step” of boycotting court proceedings again.
A large number of lawyers representing bar associations from across Meghalaya participated in Tuesday’s rally. Gautam said representatives of all the bar associations in the state stood united behind their demand.
“Our demand is the same: we want removal of Mr. Amit Kumar,” Gautam said, questioning why no concrete action had been taken despite repeated representations and meetings.
He further alleged that Kumar’s continued court appearances, despite the government’s assurance, had left the lawyers questioning the seriousness of that assurance.
Gautam said the lawyers would continue their agitation through different forms of protest. He added that the executive committees of the district court and High Court bar associations would meet to decide the next course of action.