Legal notice served on Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, others over alleged high fee to law officials
PTC Web Desk: Advocate Jagmohan Singh Bhatti has issued a legal notice to Delhi's former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Chief Secretary of Punjab, and the state's Advocate General, alleging that select law officials in the Punjab Advocate General's office are receiving hefty fees for handling specially marked cases.
Advocate Bhatti has accused the administration of favouring certain individuals by assigning them special marked cases, leading to substantial financial burdens on the state treasury. He pointed out that this provision was introduced in March last year and claims that it is causing unnecessary expenditure for Punjab, which is already facing a financial crisis.
According to Advocate Bhatti, it remains unclear whether the fees paid to these law officials are separate from their salaries or included within them. Citing the lack of transparency, he has demanded the withdrawal of this provision within seven days. Advocate Bhatti warned that if no action is taken within the stipulated time, he would file a public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
When approached for a response, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh stated that the policy was initially formulated in 2017 during the previous government and was merely revised in March last year. He explained that earlier, a panel of lawyers was selected for cases, but now the government decides which lawyer's services are required for specific cases. Gurminder Singh added that they are currently reviewing the legal notice and will respond accordingly.
- PTC NEWS
