Law Minister Atishi Debars Ahlawat, Citing False Affidavit and Legal Misrepresentation
A fresh conflict has erupted between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena, following Delhi Law Minister Atishi’s decision to debar Standing Counsel (Services) Avnish Ahlawat. The order, issued on August 7, accuses Ahlawat of submitting “false and untruthful” statements and providing incorrect information in an affidavit before the Delhi High Court in a suo motu writ petition.
The Law Minister’s order further alleges that Ahlawat offered a “wrong legal opinion” in a contempt case, despite not being the Standing Counsel (Civil) at the time. Atishi has directed the Chief Secretary of Delhi to investigate the matter, while temporarily assigning Standing Counsel (Civil) Santosh Kumar Tripathi to handle the Delhi government’s legal matters in related cases.
The legal dispute centers around a suo motu petition aimed at improving Delhi’s health infrastructure. The Delhi High Court had earlier constituted a committee of experts to address the issue.
In response, on August 28, Bhairab Dutt, Deputy Secretary (Services), issued a statement to Delhi government officials, indicating that a panel of advocates approved by the LG in 2017 is still in effect. The communication clarifies that Ahlawat will continue to represent the Delhi government in service-related cases, a domain under the LG’s jurisdiction in the national capital.
The statement underscores that only advocates from the 2017 panel are authorized to represent various government departments in service-related matters before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) or the Delhi High Court.
Another letter from Dutt reaffirms Ahlawat’s standing, stating that she remains the designated Standing Counsel (Civil) for service-related cases, as initially appointed by the LG in 2017. The letter emphasized that Ahlawat’s role had been periodically extended and remains valid for representing the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and the Union of India in service matters.
The LG’s office maintains that Ahlawat will continue in her role despite the Delhi government’s recent order, further intensifying the legal tussle between the two authorities.
(With inputs from agency)
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