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Attorney General of India
The Attorney General of India functions as the primary legal advisor to the Central government and represents them in legal matters before the Indian Supreme Court. The role and duties of the Attorney General, along with its scope, are concisely outlined in Article 76 of Part V of the Indian Constitution.
Article 76 of Part V in the Indian Constitution elucidates the role of the Attorney General of India. The Attorney General serves as the primary legal representative of the Union Government, responsible for advocating on behalf of the government in front of the Indian Supreme Court. The appointment of the attorney general should remain unaffected by political considerations.
Attorney General of India 1950- 2022
The Attorney General of India is the principal legal advisor to the Government of India. He is appointed by the President of India and holds office at the pleasure of the President. The Attorney General is also the guardian of the interests of the Union in all legal matters. The Attorney Generals of India have played a significant role in the development of the Indian legal system. They have provided legal advice to the government on a wide range of issues, including constitutional law, international law, and human rights law. They have also represented the government in the Supreme Court and other courts in India.
The Attorney Generals of India have participated in pivotal legal cases in the nation’s history. Notably, in the Keshavananda Bharati case, they played a crucial role in upholding the fundamental framework of the Indian Constitution. Their involvement extends to cases concerning minority rights, environmental issues, and corruption. This potent and influential position serves as the government’s primary legal counsel and courtroom representative. The Attorney General assumes a vital role in safeguarding the rule of law and promoting justice in India.
Here are some of the most notable Attorney Generals of India from 1950 to 2022:
- Motilal Chimanlal Setalvad (1950-1963): The first Attorney General of India, Setalvad was a renowned jurist and freedom fighter. He played a key role in the drafting of the Indian Constitution and was involved in many landmark cases, including the Gopalan case, which upheld the right to privacy.
- K. Parasaran (1980-1989): Parasaran was a highly respected lawyer who served as Attorney General for two terms. He was involved in many important cases, including the Shah Bano case, which dealt with the rights of Muslim women.
- Soli Sorabjee (1973-1977, 1989-1990): Sorabjee was one of the most eminent jurists of India. He served as Attorney General for two terms and was involved in many landmark cases, including the Keshavananda Bharati case and the Mandal Commission case.
- Mukul Rohatgi (2017-2019): Rohatgi is a highly experienced lawyer who served as Attorney General for two years. He was involved in many important cases, including the Rafale deal case and the Ayodhya title dispute case.
- Tushar Mehta (2019-2022): Mehta is a senior advocate who served as Attorney General for three years. He was involved in many important cases, including the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown case and the farmers’ protest case.
List of Attorney General of India
The position of Attorney General of India holds a significant role within the country’s legal and governmental framework. The Attorney General is the highest-ranking legal advisor to the Central government and serves as its representative in legal matters before the Indian Supreme Court. Here is a list of some notable individuals who have held the esteemed position of Attorney General of India.
List of Attorney General of India | |
Name of the Attorney General | Tenure |
M.C. Setalvad | 28 January 1950 – 1 March 1963 |
C.K. Daftari | 2 March 1963 – 30 October 1968 |
Niren de | 1 November 1968 – 31 March 1977 |
S.V. Gupte | 1st April 1977 – 8th August 1979 |
L.N. Sinha | 9th August 1979 – 8th August 1983 |
K. Parasaran | 9th August 1983 – 8th December 1989 |
Soli Sorabjee | 9th December 1989 – 2nd December 1990 |
J. Ramaswamy | 3rd December 1990 – November 23rd, 1992 |
Milon K. Banerji | 21st November 1992 – 8th July 1996 |
Ashok Desai | 9th July 1996 – 6th April 1998 |
Soli Sorabjee | 7th April 1998 – 4th June 2004 |
Milon K. Banerjee | 5th June 2004 – 7th June 2009 |
Goolam Essaji Vahanvati | 8th June 2009 – 11th June 2014 |
Mukul Rohatgi | 12th June 2014 – 30th June 2017 |
K.K. Venugopal | 30th June 2017 – September 22nd, 2022 |
R. Venkataramani |
1st October 2022 till date
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Attorney General of India Salary
The Attorney General of India is the principal legal advisor to the Government of India and enjoys a high salary and other perks. Here is a breakdown of their salary and allowances:
- Basic Pay: The basic pay of the Attorney General of India is ₹2,25,000 per month.
- Retainer Fees: The Attorney General is also paid a retainer fee of ₹50,000 per month.
- Sumptuary Allowance: The Attorney General is also entitled to a sumptuary allowance of ₹4,000 per month.
- Other Allowances: The Attorney General is also entitled to other allowances, such as house rent allowance, travel allowance, and medical allowance.
The Attorney General of India is a highly paid and privileged position. The salary and allowances are very generous, and the Attorney General also enjoys a number of other perks. However, the Attorney General also bears a heavy responsibility. They are the government’s chief legal advisor and represent the government in court. They play a vital role in the protection of the rule of law and the advancement of justice in India.
Attorney General of India Tenure
The selection of the attorney general rests with the President of India. The appointee must be an Indian citizen and possess a decade of experience in high court advocacy or five years as a judge in any Indian state. Alternatively, the President can recognize them as a distinguished jurist. Notably, the Constitution does not specify the tenure for the Attorney General’s appointment.
Similarly, the Constitution is silent about the procedure and grounds for their removal. This renders them susceptible to the President’s discretion, making their removal possible at any point. A resignation is also an option, with the Attorney General able to step down by submitting a letter of resignation to the President. There exist no constitutional confines on the Attorney General’s compensation, with the amount being decided by the President’s judgment.
Attorney General of India Duties
The Attorney General of India is the principal legal advisor to the Government of India. They are appointed by the President of India and hold office at the pleasure of the President. The Attorney General is also the guardian of the interests of the Union in all legal matters. The Attorney General of India has a number of duties, including:
- Giving legal advice to the Government of India: The Attorney General is the government’s chief legal advisor and is responsible for giving legal advice on all matters of law. They are consulted by the government on a wide range of issues, including constitutional law, international law, and human rights law.
- Appearing on behalf of the Government of India in court: The Attorney General is the government’s chief advocate in court and appears on behalf of the government in all cases in the Supreme Court and other courts in India. They also represent the government in international tribunals.
- Prosecuting cases on behalf of the Government of India: The Attorney General is responsible for prosecuting cases on behalf of the government in the Supreme Court and other courts in India. They also represent the government in criminal cases.
- Appointing lawyers to represent the Government of India in court: The Attorney General has the power to appoint lawyers to represent the government in court. They can appoint lawyers from the bar or from the government’s own legal services department.
- Supervising the work of the Department of Legal Affairs: The Attorney General is responsible for supervising the work of the Department of Legal Affairs, which is the government’s law department. The Department of Legal Affairs is responsible for providing legal advice to the government and for representing the government in court.
- Performing other duties as may be assigned by the President: The Attorney General also performs other duties as may be assigned to them by the President. These duties may vary depending on the needs of the government.
The Attorney General of India is a powerful and influential position. They are the government’s chief legal advisor and represent the government in court. The Attorney General plays a vital role in the protection of the rule of law and the advancement of justice in India.
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