HC rejects, Haryana makes officer as deputy advocate general

Times of India: Chandigarh: Friday, May 10, 2013.

In a blatant show of disregard to HC observation, the Haryana government appointed a deputy advocate general (DAG), whose integrity had been questioned by the Punjab and Haryana high court and who was removed from the state judicial service.

Ankur Lal was appointed to the coveted post of DAG by the department of administration of justice, Haryana, on May 7, along with 11 other persons, who would represent Haryana government before the high court and Supreme Court.

The appointment of Lal has come at a time when the AG office has been hammered by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for not maintaining "transparency in appointment of law officers" in the AG office of the state.

The post of DAG is an important assignment, as he handles various sensitive issues pertaining to the state government before the high court.

As per documents procured under Right to Information (RTI) Act, the annual confidential reports (ACRs) of Lal, during his posting as judicial magistrate first class (JMIC) at Ferozepur Jhirka (Gurgaon), were recorded as "C-Below Average-Integrity Doubtful" for the year 2010-11.

These remarks were recorded by the then administrative judge of Gurgaon sessions's division Justice Jasbir Singh. Even the representation made by Lal against these remarks on August 12, 2011 was turned down by the high court administration on September 29, 2011.

Later, the HC administration removed him from state judicial service during his probation period.

When contacted, advocate general, Haryana, Hawa Singh Hooda expressed ignorance about the appointment. He, however, said that it is a serious issue, if any such person has been appointed. "I will inquire into the matter on Friday and take action accordingly," the AG said.

Lal is said to be close to a senior Delhi-based politician.

With Tuesday's appointments, the total number of law officers in state's AG office has reached 190.

In its recent report, the CAG had expressed surprise over increase in the number of law officers to plead state's cases at Chandigarh-based courts from 98 in December 2009 to 179 in 2012 even though the number of courts where they were to defend the cases remained the same during the said period.

The CAG had also held that appointments in the AG office were made without assessing the quantum of work, causing huge financial loss to the state exchequer. The report has also exposed that often nearly 80% law officers remain without work.