The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Wednesday accused the Meghalaya Government of breaking its word to the legal fraternity by allowing Advocate General Amit Kumar to continue appearing for the government despite assurances that he would no longer represent it in court.
In a strongly worded statement, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said the government’s failure to honour the assurance had betrayed the trust of the State’s lawyers and exposed its “adamant and arrogant” attitude at a time when courts are being boycotted and litigants are bearing the brunt.
The VPP extended its solidarity to the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association, Shillong Bar Association and other Bar Associations in their demand for Kumar’s immediate removal.
Basaiawmoit said the Advocate General’s remarks questioning the Bar’s ability to protect its women members, in connection with a case involving a woman intern, were “highly insensitive and unacceptable”.
But he said the government’s conduct was even more disturbing, pointing out that both the Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister had assured the Bar that Kumar would no longer appear for the government, yet he continues to do so.