Advocate General resigns ahead of dual-post hearing
SHILLONG: In an unexpected development ahead of the hearing on the dual-post case in the High Court on Tuesday, Advocate General KS Kynjing on Monday resigned from the post following pressure from the State Government
Kynjing has been drawing flak during the various legal proceedings in the Court while representing the state government.
The High Court in the past had even pulled him up on several issues during the hearings, and even termed the senior advocate “weak and helpless “.
Sources on Monday said that the Cabinet during its meeting on Friday had decided to appoint a new Advocate General replacing Kynjing.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma even shot off a letter to the Advocate General acknowledging his services and contributions which were a sort of parting words to Kynjing.
Understanding the message, Kynjing put in his papers on Saturday.
Indications are that the Government wants to appoint the Additional Advocate General BP Todi as Kynjing’s successor.
Though the exact reason as to why the Government wanted to remove Kynjing is not known, sources said that criticism against Kynjing from several quarters including from the High Court had led to the decision of the Government.
However, sources added that the stand of the Advocate General on the dual-post issue appears to be the reason for his removal by the Government
Sources pointed out that the Advocate General was not in a hurry to decide on the dual-post case by going against KHADC CEM P N Syiem and desired to play a neutral role in the disposal of justice as far as the dual-post issue is concerned.
“He did not want to be depicted as the one who is either too close to the Government or to KHADC”, a source said.
However, Kynjing was not available for comments.
When contacted, the Deputy Chief Minister in charge law Rowell Lyngdoh said that he was not aware of the development and added that there were a lot of rumours in the Secretariat on Monday in this regard.
However, Lyngdoh admitted: “We did discuss the matter in the Cabinet especially about the new name for the post, but I don’t know who will be appointed next.”