Punjab Dy CM Sukhjinder Randhawa’s son-in-law appointed Additional Advocate-General

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8

In a politically strategic move, the infighting-ridden Congress government in Punjab on Monday engaged — among others — Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s son-in-law Tarun Vir Singh Lehal as an Additional Advocate-General, leading to allegations of nepotism from the Opposition.

Available information suggests the appointment has been made on the recommendation of Punjab’s “interim” Advocate-General APS Deol.

The appointment has been made under “proviso to Section 7 (4) of Punjab Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2017”.

The provision makes it clear that the Advocate-General may, with the government’s approval, engage up to seven advocates. They, in his opinion, should “possess such special qualifications and experience as he deems suitable, as law officers keeping in view the exigencies and for smooth functioning of his office”.

The appointment, notified by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice, comes at a time when differences between him, Randhawa and Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu are no more a matter of surmises. While “Home” is under Randhawa, “Justice” is with Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

Just about two days back Sidhu is believed to have made a veiled attack on Randhawa over the sacrilege issue.

Deol, appointed by the Channi government, had last month resigned from the post, but was allowed to continue till the joining of the new incumbent. He is already engaged in a war of words with Sidhu. Deol had publically accused Sidhu of disseminating misinformation to achieve political benefit over his political colleagues.

Deol had also blamed him for obstructing the functioning of the state government and the AG office. Sidhu, in turn, had used a long thread of 12 tweets to slam Deol.

The notifications said another advocate Sumeet Mahajan was engaged as senior Additional Advocate-General, while Mukesh Chander Berry and Aadil Singh Boparai were engaged as Additional Advocates-General. Rehatbir Singh Maan was appointed Deputy Advocate-General.

Political considerations while making appointments to public offices are not uncommon. In September, the Cabinet had approved the appointment of the then Revenue Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar’s son-in-law as Excise and Taxation Inspector by tweaking the rules.

In June, the decision to appoint the sons of Ludhiana North Congress MLA Rakesh Pandey and Qadian MLA Fateh Jung Bajwa as naib tehsildar and inspector had led to an uproar, with Randhawa — among other Congress leaders — opposing the move.