High Court raps Advocate General's office

Kochi: The High Court Judge Justice Alexander Thomas Thursday criticised the functioning of the office of the Advocate General in the state and asked the AG's office to take lessons in working from neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

In his oral observations, the judge said though there are more than 120 law officers working under the AG, they are not carrying out the proceedings effectively.

He also urged the Advocate General's office to take lessons from the functioning of the AGs office in Tamil Nadu.

The judge made these observations as he was hearing cases involving police, particulalry 'Operation Kubera' --a police action against illegal money lenders in the state.

The court expressed displeasure over the AG's office not producing on time the documents it had sought.

The judge said he was not getting proper assistance from government law officers on various cases.

Meanwhile, Advocate General K P Dandapani said the Chief Minister reposed full confidence in him and his officers and hence has nothing to comment on the observations by the judge.

Later, the AG, along with his law officers, met High Court Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan.

It was only a formal meeting and this issue was not discussed with the Chief Justice, he said after the meeting.