Delhi High Court Gives Centre 3 Months to Frame Rules for Appointing Government Lawyers

The Delhi High Court has given the Central Government three months to frame and issue clear guidelines for appointing lawyers to represent its departments in courts.

The direction came from a Division Bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Vishal Sharma. The PIL questioned the recent empanelment of lawyers by the Central Government to appear before the Delhi High Court and subordinate courts.

During the hearing, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the Union Government would take a decision and work out an appropriate mechanism for empanelling government counsels.

The Court disposed of the PIL, treating it as a representation made to the Central Government. It directed the Union of India to examine the concerns raised by the petitioner and address them accordingly.

While granting three months’ time to frame the guidelines, the Court clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the petitioner’s claims.