SC dismisses PIL questioning AG taking private matters

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition, contending that the constitutional provisions barred the Attorney General  (AG) from appearing in private matters.

The PIL had sought scrutiny of Article 76 of the Constitution, which deals with the appointment and powers of the Attorney General.

When the advocate appearing for the petitioner questioned the appearance of AG in private matters, a Bench comprising Chief Justice HL Dattu and Amitava Roy asked him “if there is no conflict of interest, can’t he appear in the private matters”. 

“When the AG appears in court, we sometimes call him by name also. Even in private matters, he is sometimes called as AG,” the Bench said.

The issue was raised in the wake of a recent development, in which Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi appeared for a private client, Kerala Bar Hotels Association, in a liquor case.

The Attorney General was criticised by some people, including the Chief Minister of Congress-ruled Kerala, Oommen Chandy, for appearing on behalf of the private client. The PIL was filed by Centre for Consumer Education.