Deadlock on top law official’s appointment continues

The Uttar Pradesh government wants to study the pattern of appointments in the union ministry of law and justice before taking a final view on the appointment of the new legal remembrancer (LR) who would also be the new principal secretary, law.

“We may consider studying the union ministry of law and justice’s procedure for appointments to top posts,” said a senior officer of the state government on condition of anonymity.

As no decision has been taken about the appointment for the past few months, a deadlock of sorts continues between the state government and the Allahabad high court on the issue.

The state government had requested the Allahabad high court to send a panel of five names for appointment as the new LR after the government sent the name of Gorakhpur dis- trict judge RN Pandey for the post. According to sources, the high court has sent the state government the same name again, instead of sending a panel.

According to sources, the Allahabad high court, in its letter to the state government, has pointed out that the name of Pandey was sent on the basis of the recommendation of the HC’s administrative committee whose decision was considered final.

On the other hand, the state government’s officers contend that there was no procedure provided for the appointment in the LR manual.

“The state government is within its rights to appoint an officer of its choice on the post,” said the officer, adding, a decision on the issue would be taken only at the top political level of the state government.

The post of LR had fallen vacant after transfer of the then principal secretary, law, Anirudh Singh as the district judge of Mau, a few months ago.

The Allahabad high court had ordered the transfer of Singh soon after state government passed the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta (amendment) Bill-2015 in the assembly on August 27, 2015.

The bill proposed to deprive the Allahabad high court chief justice of any role in the appointment of the state’s lokayukta.

After the transfer of the then principal secretary (law), the state gover nment had requested the Allahabad high court to send its recommendation for appointment as the new LR and additional (LR) Abdul Shahid was asked to act as principal secretary (incharge) and the LR.