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The tenure of Attorney General K.K. Venugopal is extended by the the government for a period of one more year with effect from July 1.
About
- This is the second time the Centre has extended his tenure. He received his first extension of term in 2020.
- He was the the 15th Attorney General after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and was appointed in July 2017.
- He had recently represented the Union of India in a case which led to the cancellation of Class 12 exams due to the pandemic & several sensitive cases, includes the challenge to the abrogation of Article 370 and the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Attorney General Of India
- S/he is the top legal officer in the country & part of Union Excecutive.
- S/he is not considered as a government servant.
- Assisted by 2 Solicitor Generals & 4 Additional Solicitor Generals.
- Under the Constitution of India, Article 76 deals with for Attorney General of India & Article 165 for Advocate General of States.
- Eligibility
- Qualified to be appointed as Supreme Court judge.
- Citizen of India.
- Judge of High Court (HC) for 5 years/advocate HC for 10 years/eminent jurist President’s opinion.
- Tenure: Not fixed.
- Appointment: By President on Government advice.
- Functions
- Advise Government on legal matters.
- Perform legal duties assigned by President.
- Appear on behalf of Government in all cases in SC or HC.
- Represent Government under Article 143 (Power of President to consult SC).
- Discharge functions conferred by Constitution or law.
- Rights
- Right to Speak & take part in proceedings of both Houses of Parliament/joint sitting/any committee of Parliament of which he/she may be named a member.
- Enjoys privileges & immunities of a member of Parliament.
- Not a Government servant & not debarred from private legal practice.
- Limitations
- No Right to Vote in House proceedings/committees.
- Should not advise against or hold a brief against Government.
- Should not defend accused persons in criminal prosecutions without the permission of the Government of India.
- Should not accept appointment as a director in any company or corporation without the permission of the Government of India.
- Removal
- Holds office during President’s pleasure & can be removed by President at any time.
- No grounds for removal or procedure mentioned in Constitution.
Source: TH
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