Shillong, Aug 27: Lawyers took to the streets here today in one of the largest protests by the state’s legal fraternity to demand the removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar.
The protest march was jointly organised by the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association and had support from bar associations across the state, including Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills.
Carrying placards and banners that read “Amit Kumar Go Back” and “Stop Looting. We Demand Removal of Mr Amit Kumar as Advocate General of Meghalaya”, the advocates took out a peaceful march through the city shouting slogans.
The lawyers strongly criticised Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for his recent statement that Meghalaya is “lucky” to have Amit Kumar as its AG as he could have chosen a posting or private practice anywhere else in the country but decided to give his time in the service of Meghalaya.
Speaking after the rally, High Court Bar Association secretary-general KC Gautam said they were deeply disappointed with the CM’s statement.
“The saddest part is after we wrote a letter to the Chief Minister demanding removal of Kumar, highlighting our grievances [and] we were not even called. We were not happy having an AG from outside when we have so many talented lawyers here. Instead of replying to us, the CM replied through Mr Kumar himself. He said he regrets but did not apologise,” Gautam said.
The spark that lit the fuse for the advocates was a remark made by Kumar during a court proceeding. Referring to a case of sexual harassment by a senior lawyer towards a junior, Kumar said that there are many such cases within the legal fraternity in Shillong. However, the two associations have said that they are unaware of any more instances of sexual harassment and Kumar refused to share details with them when asked. This, the lawyers opined, has portrayed Meghalaya’s legal fraternity in a poor light. Other criticisms of Kumar include state expenditure on engaging outside lawyers from Delhi for “small matters” and the appointment of Kumar’s son as a state panel advocate in the Supreme Court.
On August 24, all bar associations across Meghalaya held a general body meeting after the government failed to respond to their demands. Delegates from all districts attended and those who could not, sent unanimous resolutions supporting the demand.
The CM’s defence of Kumar was “very hurtful”, Gautam added. “It undermines every single lawyer here and undermines our protest. This is the first time in history that lawyers have come out on the streets like this in our state. We have always been democratic.”
Reiterating their demand, Gautam alleged financial irregularities and nepotism.
“We have come to learn that his entire chamber is running through the resources of Meghalaya. His juniors in Delhi are regularly appearing for the state. They are not even members of our bar, depriving our local lawyers of opportunities. Not only that, he has also appointed his own son to represent the state in the Supreme Court. The amount of money spent not just on Mr Amit Kumar but his lawyers is huge. It’s not that we don’t have great seniors in Shillong. Shillong Bar is one of the oldest bars in the country,” Gautam added.
The two protesting associations have filed RTIs seeking expenditure details.
“We have filed RTIs. There is a 30-day period. If we do not get replies in time, we will take another legal course,” Gautam said.
