Tag: Attorney General

  • Conversion of Supreme Court into small causal court must stop: Attorney General

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Attorney General for India R Venkataramani on Saturday stressed the need to decongest the Supreme Court and said it is important that the government stops overloading it with endless statutory appeals and huge flow of cases from high courts.

    Addressing a gathering at the Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, Venkataramani said there is a need to have a litigation policy for the government so that every matter does not become a matter of litigation.

    Since 2015, November 26 is observed as Constitution Day to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. Earlier, the day was observed as Law Day.

    “It is important that the government stops overloading the Supreme Court with endless statutory appeals alongside a seamless and huge flow of cases from high courts. The conversion of the Supreme Court into a small causal court must stop,” he said, adding that the high court should also be decongested.

    Venkataramani said every department must have a resolution wing with competent and independent legal equipment to resolve facts-based issues.

    “Only complex matters with legal issues which cannot be resolved must go for institutional resolution. I am confident the government will give an ear to an earnest attorney general to draw a quick roadmap,” Venkataramani said at the event also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

    The attorney general said family courts needed to become more comfortable and that there was a need for a settlement commission when it came to property law and more.

    “Rule of law is a non-violent revolution. More room for rule of law reduces violence. I look forward to a day when the west may come learning from us on justice standards. Colonialism of minds and people would be free,” he said.ALSO READ | No institution in constitutional democracy including collegium is perfect: CJI

    NEW DELHI: Attorney General for India R Venkataramani on Saturday stressed the need to decongest the Supreme Court and said it is important that the government stops overloading it with endless statutory appeals and huge flow of cases from high courts.

    Addressing a gathering at the Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, Venkataramani said there is a need to have a litigation policy for the government so that every matter does not become a matter of litigation.

    Since 2015, November 26 is observed as Constitution Day to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. Earlier, the day was observed as Law Day.

    “It is important that the government stops overloading the Supreme Court with endless statutory appeals alongside a seamless and huge flow of cases from high courts. The conversion of the Supreme Court into a small causal court must stop,” he said, adding that the high court should also be decongested.

    Venkataramani said every department must have a resolution wing with competent and independent legal equipment to resolve facts-based issues.

    “Only complex matters with legal issues which cannot be resolved must go for institutional resolution. I am confident the government will give an ear to an earnest attorney general to draw a quick roadmap,” Venkataramani said at the event also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

    The attorney general said family courts needed to become more comfortable and that there was a need for a settlement commission when it came to property law and more.

    “Rule of law is a non-violent revolution. More room for rule of law reduces violence. I look forward to a day when the west may come learning from us on justice standards. Colonialism of minds and people would be free,” he said.ALSO READ | No institution in constitutional democracy including collegium is perfect: CJI

  • Mukul Rohatgi declines Centre’s offer to be next Attorney General

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi on Sunday said he has declined the central government’s offer to be the next Attorney General of India.

    Rohatgi told PTI that there was no specific reason behind his decision.

    The Centre had offered the post of AG to Rohatgi earlier this month to succeed K K Venugopal, 91, whose term will end on September 30.

    Rohatgi was the AG from June 2014 to June 2017. He was succeeded by Venugopal, who was appointed to the post in July 2017. The AG usually has a tenure of three years.

    NEW DELHI: Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi on Sunday said he has declined the central government’s offer to be the next Attorney General of India.

    Rohatgi told PTI that there was no specific reason behind his decision.

    The Centre had offered the post of AG to Rohatgi earlier this month to succeed K K Venugopal, 91, whose term will end on September 30.

    Rohatgi was the AG from June 2014 to June 2017. He was succeeded by Venugopal, who was appointed to the post in July 2017. The AG usually has a tenure of three years.

  • Nupur Sharma case: Attorney General says no to contempt against ex-judge

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Attorney General K K Venugopal has not given consent to initiate contempt proceedings against former Delhi High Court judge SN Dhingra and two others for criticising the Supreme Court over its observations against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

    Advocate C R Jaya Sukin had sought Venugopal’s consent to initiate criminal contempt of court against Dhingra, former additional solicitor general (ASG) Aman Lekhi and senior advocate K Rama Kumar for calling the top court’s observations in Nupur Sharma’s case “irresponsible, illegal and unfair”.Venugopal said the statements made by the three people were neither “vituperative nor abusive” nor were they likely to interfere with the administration of justice by the SC.

    “I’ve gone through your request seeking consent to initiate proceedings for criminal contempt against Justice (retd) S N Dhingra, Lekhi and Rama Kumar…The statements are not vituperative or abusive nor are they likely to interfere with the administration of justice…the SC, in several judgements, has held that fair and reasonable criticism of judicial proceedings would not constitute contempt of court,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: Attorney General K K Venugopal has not given consent to initiate contempt proceedings against former Delhi High Court judge SN Dhingra and two others for criticising the Supreme Court over its observations against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

    Advocate C R Jaya Sukin had sought Venugopal’s consent to initiate criminal contempt of court against Dhingra, former additional solicitor general (ASG) Aman Lekhi and senior advocate K Rama Kumar for calling the top court’s observations in Nupur Sharma’s case “irresponsible, illegal and unfair”.
    Venugopal said the statements made by the three people were neither “vituperative nor abusive” nor were they likely to interfere with the administration of justice by the SC.

    “I’ve gone through your request seeking consent to initiate proceedings for criminal contempt against Justice (retd) S N Dhingra, Lekhi and Rama Kumar…The statements are not vituperative or abusive nor are they likely to interfere with the administration of justice…the SC, in several judgements, has held that fair and reasonable criticism of judicial proceedings would not constitute contempt of court,” he said.

  • Venugopal agrees to continue as A-G for three more months 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Senior advocate K K Venugopal has agreed to continue as the Attorney General for India for three more months following a request by the central government, government sources said on Wednesday.

    His present one-year term was to end on June 30. Venugopal, the sources said, was not willing to continue in the constitutional post due to “personal reasons”.

    But following a request by the central government, he has agreed to continue as the top law officer of the Union of India for three more months.

    Venugopal, 91, was appointed by the President of India as Attorney General for India in July 2017, succeeding Mukul Rohatgi. He was subsequently reappointed to the post. The attorney general usually has a tenure of three years.

    When Venugopal’s first term as AG was to end in 2020, he had requested the government to give him a one-year tenure keeping in mind his advanced age.

    Last year too, Venugopal was reappointed for one year.

    In view of the high-profile cases Venugopal is handling in the Supreme Court and his experience at the Bar, the government was keen that he continued as its top law officer.

    An eminent advocate of Supreme Court, Venugopal has appeared in a large number of cases involving important issues of Constitutional and corporate law.

    He was an additional solicitor general of India between 1979 and 1980. He has been awarded Padma Bhushan in 2002 and Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

  • RIP Soli Sorabjee: President Ramnath Kovind, PM Narendra Modi pay tributes to noted jurist

    By Online Desk
    NEW DELHI: Paying tributes to noted jurist Soli Sorabjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ramnath Kovind on Friday condoled the death of the former Attorney-General. Sorabjee died at a private hospital here after getting infected with COVID-19. The 91-year-old had served as the Attorney General for India from 1989-90 and then from 1998-2004.

    Shri Soli Sorabjee was an outstanding lawyer and intellectual. Through law, he was at the forefront of helping the poor and downtrodden. He will be remembered for his noteworthy tenures India’s Attorney General. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers.
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2021

    PM Modi said that he was an outstanding lawyer and was at the forefront of helping the poor and downtrodden through law. Modi tweeted, “Shri Soli Sorabjee was an outstanding lawyer and intellectual. Through law, he was at the forefront of helping the poor and downtrodden. He will be remembered for his noteworthy tenures India’s Attorney General. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers.”

    In the passing of Soli Sorabji, we lost an icon of India’s legal system. He was among the select few who deeply influenced evolution of constitutional law & justice system. Awarded with Padma Vibhushan, he was among most eminent jurists. My condolences to his family & associates.
    — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 30, 2021

    “In the passing of Soli Sorabjee, we lost an icon of India’s legal system. He was among the select few who deeply influenced evolution of constitutional law & justice system. Awarded with Padma Vibhushan, he was among most eminent jurists. My condolences to his family & associates,” Kovind said in a tweet.

    (With inputs from PTI)

  • Former Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee passes away at 91 due to COVID-19

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Former Attorney General (AG), Padma awardee and one of the topmost lawyers in the country, Soli J Sorabjee passed away on Friday at the age of 91, due to COVID-19. Soli and his wife had tested COVID-19 positive, some days back. His wife is in the process of recovering from the disease. However, Soli, unfortunately, succumbed to the disease.

    Soli was born on March 9, 1930, to a Parsi family and was a champion of freedom of speech and expression. Soli, who served as the AG from 1989-90 and then from 1998-2004, is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.

    Soli had been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan award, for his immense contribution towards the defence of the freedom of speech and expression and the protection of human rights. He had held several offices in organisations of national and international repute.

    The gentle giant Soli Sorabjee passed away this morning. Always ready to lend a helping hand Soli Sir leaves behind countless admirers & many memories. My condolences to the family in this hour of grief.
    — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 30, 2021

    In a condolence message to the family members of Soli and his well-wishers, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, offered his last respect and said, “My deepest respect to the departed soul. Condolences to the family, friends, and fans.”

    “Soli J Sorabjee served the office of Attorney General of India twice with great distinction. His humane and compassionate approach defined his legal work. His body of work, spread over nearly seven decades, in defending fundamental rights and human rights is of international repute. He will be remembered as a legend who added strength to the pillars of democracy,” CJI Ramana said.

    The present Attorney General (AG) KK Venugopal, speaking to ANI, said that he was one of the finest lawyers and a champion of freedom of speech and expression. “He was a man of great ideas and a believer and a champion of freedom of speech and expression,” Venugopal said.

    Venugopal stated that he knew Soli since 1979, as he remembers his association with him. “I know Soli ji since 1979. He was one of the best in the legal field and will always be remembered as a great visionary in the legal field. This is a huge loss to the legal field,” Venugopal told ANI.

    Former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) and senior Supreme Court lawyer, Vishwajeet Bhattacharjee remembered him as a great visionary and a man of “great ideas and thoughts”. “He had great ideas and thoughts. He was purely a person who had immense knowledge of law and the judiciary. A great talented man, we have lost today,” he told ANI.

    Bhattacharjee said that Soli was a person and believer of free speech and freedom of speech. He will always be remembered as a great lawyer whose arguments, no one can even think of.

    The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) and senior Supreme Court lawyer, Vikas Singh, said that we have today lost a great lawyer and a legend of the legal fraternity. “We have lost a legend in the legal field and a man with great vision. His immense contribution to the legal field will always be an inspiration for generations to come,” Vikas Singh added.

  • Editorial :- Rahul SiphSalar and Imran Khan’s Yar Sidhu would be interval due to slogan in has rally : Pakistan Zindabad

    On 05 December in Jaipur, Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah held a press conference. In the press conference, he talked about two Issues.

    On the Agusta-Westland issue, BJP President Amit Shah said that the opposition has no issue, so speaking on the issue of Christian Michelle. Does the opposition want to save the middleman?

    On being questioned, Amit Shah said about Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu that we have never said that Sidhu is unholy, we do not believe that. He said that the Congress should clarify whether Navjot Singh Sidhu had gone to Pakistan with the consent of Rahul Gandhi hugged Bazwa, the Pak army chief there. If such Happened  then it is natural the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad would be shouted in the rally.

    What is Sidhu’s Pakistan connection, Crime Branch will investigate: Now, during the visit of the Delhi crime branch Navjot Singh Sidhu to Pakistan, during a visit to Pakistan, investigate the case with several suspects. BJP spokesman Naveen Kumar met the special commissioner of Delhi Police, Rajesh Basti and he has given this complaint to the Crime Branch. The complaint has been lodged by BJP spokesman Navin Kumar.

    The big impact of Zee Media news : The slogan Pakistan Zindabad be shouted in Sidhu’s rally in Alwar has had a major impact. In this matter, Rajasthan Election Commission CEO Anand Mumar has summoned the full report and the video.

    Congress leader and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu may be in trouble. CEO Anand Kumar has summoned the report in the case of allegations of sloganeering of Pakistan’s Zindabad in his meeting of Alwar. In the case, he has sought a complete factual report from Alwar collector. Along with this, the video of the alleged gathering has also been ordered. In the matter, CEO Anand Mumar has summoned the video and the complete factual report. After the report comes, the Election Department will decide on the action. It is also verbally told that the police was standing behind Sidhu in the meeting and the voice of the alleged slogan came from behind the gathering.

    If the case is found to be more sensitive and suspect, then the entire report and video can be sent to ECI, after which he can take necessary action. It is worth noting that a video was viral in which Siddhu’s meeting was heard by slogans of Pakistan Zindabad. In this, Siddhu has clarified that this video has been edited to spoil his image.

    It is worth noting that suspicion is being expressed on this alleged video of Zee News. Similar suspicion was also expressed on the Zee News video related toslogan of AAjadi JNU,but  it was later found to be correct in the investigation.

    The second fact is that Sudhir Chaudhary of DNA has detailed the alleged video related to Pakistan Zinderabad slogan. Whether it is a real video or not, it is a matter of investigation but with the discussion of the alleged slogan of Pakistan Zindabad, the events of the slogan are being shown in the media ,in the praise of  Siddhu and Congress and criticizes modi Government by hated words.

    Amit Shah had questioned in the Press Conference held in Jaipur whether the opposition wants to save the middleman Michelle? Congress has appointed congress leader Aljon Joseph to defend the declared in a manner that yes, in a way, yes, that the Chopper scandal, Agusta Westland has been accused by Congressman Aljon Joseph the alleged middleman Michelle in a bribe transaction.

    We are unable to understand that on the instructions of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, why does the Congress leader’s advocate come forward to defend alleged criminals and organizations involved in anti-India protests? The SIMI was banned in the NDA regime. At that time Salman Khurshid came forward to defend Simi.

    The way Sidhu had built bridges in praise of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in his journey to Pakistan just a few days ago and on the contrary, in the rude language for India’s prime minister Narendra Modi, in his election rally in Rajasthan. Similarly when Salman Khurshid had gone to Pakistan, then the praise of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, then the Prime Minister of Pakistan  and he used hated word for the PM of India.

    Similarly, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Spokes person of congress and lawyer of Supreme Court , came forward in the court  to defend the arrest of the urban Maoists.

    In the presence of Kanhaiya Kumar and Omar Khalid, freedom slogans where shouted in JNU. Immediately after that, Rahul Gandhi reached JNU to pat there backs.

    Recently, Justice Kurien Joseph made a allegations own former CJI Deepak Mishra and said that  former CGI Mishra was doing his duty by the presser of external forces. Former Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran, while correcting this question, described the allegations of Kurien Joseph as serious and said that retired judge (Joseph) should be told that on what basis he gave such statements after his retirement.

  • Rafale pricing can be discussed only if facts of deal come into public domain: SC

    The Supreme Court Wednesday said a discussion on the pricing of Rafale fighter jets can only take place if the facts of the deal are allowed to come into the public domain.

    The apex court, which began its hearing on pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, also said it was dealing with the requirements of the Air Force and would like to hear from an Air Force officer and “not the official of the Defence Ministry”.

    “The decision we need to take is whether to bring the fact on pricing in public domain or not,” a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said.

    The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, told Attorney General K K Venugopal that there is no question of any debate on pricing without making the facts public.

    The bench clarified that any discussion on price will be considered if it thinks the issue should enter the public domain.

    The top court also sought the assistance of an Air Force officer on the issue.

    “We are dealing with the requirements of the Air Force and would like to ask an Air Force officer on Rafale jets. We want to hear from an Air force officer and not the official of the Defence Ministry on the issue,” the bench said when the attorney general began his arguments on behalf of the Centre in the pre-lunch session.

    In his arguments, Venugopal defended the secrecy clause relating to the pricing of the Rafale jets, saying adversaries may get an advantage if the entire details are disclosed.

    Refusing to divulge details on the pricing aspect, he said he would not be able to assist the court  further on the pricing issue.

    “I decided not to peruse it myself as in a case of any leak, my office would be held responsible,” Venugopal said.

    The bench then told him there is no question of any debate on pricing without making the facts public.

    Venugopal said these matters are for experts to deal with. “We have been saying that even Parliament has not been told about the complete cost of the jets,” he said.

    At the exchange rate of November 2016, the cost of a bare fighter jet was Rs 670 crore, he said.

    India signed an agreement with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in a fly-away condition as part of the upgrading process of Indian Air Force equipment. The estimated cost of the deal is Rs 58,000 crore.

    The Rafale fighter is a twin-engine Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation.

    Venugopal said the earlier jets were not intended to be loaded with the requisite weapons system and the government had reservations as it did not want to violate the  Inter Government Agreement (IGA) and the secrecy clause.

    The hearing saw Venugopal opposing advocate Prashant Bhushan who wanted to submit information on the secrecy clause of the Rafale agreement.

    “Secrecy agreement has to be secret and how is he producing it in court?” Venugopal asked when Bhushan raised the issue.

    Bhushan, appearing on behalf of himself and former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, alleged that the government was hiding behind the secrecy clause and had not disclosed the price of the fighter jets.

    The CJI told Bhushan, “We are giving you full hearing. Use this opportunity carefully and cite only those things which are necessary.”

    Bhushan said the price per aircraft was 155 million Euros and was now 270 million Euros. This shows that there was hike of 40 per cent in its price, the advocate said.

    He said the CBI was bound to register an FIR in this case.

    The lawyer alleged that there was a conspiracy with French company Dassault, which granted the offset right to Reliance Defence.

    He said Reliance had no competence in executing the offset contract.

    Bhushan said they filed the petition after the CBI did not register the FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

    He also quoted former French president François Hollande and other Dassault officials to impute criminal motives in granting the offset contract to Reliance.

    The activist-lawyer submitted that the NDA government had “short circuited” the acquisition process by taking the IGA route.

    He said there was no sovereign guarantee from the French government in the deal and argued that the Union Law ministry initially flagged the issue and later gave in to the proposal of entering into an IGA.

    Six foreign companies had applied and two firms were shortlisted during the earlier process, Bhushan said.

    Later, the deal went to Dassault and state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd was part of it. Suddenly, however, a statement was issued which said there will be no technology transfer, and only 36 jets would be procured, the lawyer told the court.

    Bhushan submitted that nobody knows about the alleged change in the deal done by the prime minister. Even the defence minister was not aware about the change, he said.

    Advocates M L Sharma, Vineet Dhanda and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, also advanced their arguments.

    Reliance in previous statements has said the Indian government, French government, Dassault and Reliance have clarified on multiple occasions there was no offset contract for Rs 30,000 crore to Reliance as alleged by the Congress.