A dispute between Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar and the state’s legal fraternity has intensified, with the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association and Shillong Bar Association ending their formal association with him and seeking his removal from the post.
The decision followed a joint extraordinary general body meeting on August 5, attended by more than 400 advocates. The meeting discussed Kumar’s alleged remarks during proceedings in a suo motu case concerning the alleged assault and public parading of an advocate in Shillong.
Both associations have removed Kumar from their rolls and resolved that their members will no longer recognise him as the Advocate General of Meghalaya. They have also urged the state government to remove him from the position.
The dispute centres on Kumar’s alleged submission before the High Court that bar associations had failed to ensure the safety of women lawyers and provide them with a secure working environment. The associations objected to what they considered broad allegations against the legal community.
The remarks were made during proceedings related to an incident in which an advocate was allegedly taken from his chamber and paraded through Shillong by members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF). The advocate had earlier faced allegations of molesting an intern.
The incident prompted the two bar associations to approach Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere, alleging that authorities had failed to prevent the advocate’s alleged assault and public humiliation. During a July 31 hearing, a bench comprising Chief Justice Dere and Justice W Diengdoh observed that police appeared, prima facie, to have failed to intervene despite being present during the incident.
The court was subsequently informed on August 3 that four HNYF members had been arrested.
The controversy over Kumar’s remarks deepened after the bar associations sought an explanation from him. His response reportedly failed to resolve the disagreement, leading to the decision to sever ties with him.
The proceedings have also included discussions on the safety of women advocates and young female interns. During the August 3 hearing, bar representatives told the court that they remained committed to protecting their safety and dignity.
The High Court subsequently brought the State Bar Council and Bar Council of India into the proceedings and directed them to address concerns regarding the safety of women advocates and interns in courts across Meghalaya.
The suo motu case is scheduled to be heard again on August 19, while the bar associations’ demand for Kumar’s removal as Advocate General remains before the Meghalaya government.
