SC frames guidelines to appoint law officers in Punjab

The Supreme Court today framed guidelines for appointment of law officers in Punjab and Haryana, saying there was neither a criteria nor a policy for the selections of such officials.

A bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices R Banumathi and U U Lalit said a selection committee headed by Secretary, Law Commission will look into the appointments of law officers in both the states.

The bench also said that the committee will give the names and profiles of law officers to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court and full transparency should be maintained.

The apex court said that the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court will recommend the names of law officers along with suggestions to both the states after which they can make the appointments.

The court said there was lack of transparency in the entire process of appointment of law officers due to which it had to issue guidelines and these guidelines could also be followed by other states.

The issue before the apex court pertained to a dispute on appointment and dismissal of a law officer by the Punjab government. A petition was filed by advocate Pradeep Raparia against the Haryana government on a similar issue.

The court had last year taken note of Punjabs 174 law officers team and had asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, who was assisting it as amicus curiae, to find out if any state had laid down procedure for selection of law officers.

The bench had asked the state to explain the procedure for selection of law officers, whether there was a search committee to shortlist advocates for law officers posts, and whether the state consulted the high court before finalising the appointments.

Admitting that no such procedure was laid down for selection of law officers, the Punjab government had said there was no definite procedure nor statutory rule governing engagement of advocates as law officers for Punjab.

( Source – PTI )