Senior Advocate R. Venkataramani has been reappointed as the Attorney General of India (AGI) for a term of two years. The Constitution empowers the President to appoint a person qualified to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court as Attorney General of India. This means that the Attorney General is the principal lawyer of the Central Government in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts of India who may, as the case may be, perform the functions assigned to him by the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force.
About the Attorney General
- The Attorney General (AG) is the highest law officer and chief legal advisor to the Government of India.
- The Attorney General is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Government under Article 76 of the Constitution.
- As the chief legal advisor to the Government of India, he advises the Union Government on all legal matters.
- He holds office during the pleasure of the President; the term of office is not fixed by the Constitution.
Qualifications
The qualifications required to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court are:
- be a citizen of India
- be a Judge of the Supreme Court, or
- have five years’ experience as a Judge of a High Court, or
- have practised as an Advocate of a High Court for at least 10 years, or
- be a person of eminent judicial standing in the opinion of the President.
Functions and Powers
- Represents the Central Government in the Supreme Court and High Courts in matters relating to the Government.
- According to Article 88, he has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House or any joint sitting of the Houses and of any committee of Parliament, but does not have the right to vote or cast his vote.
- He is entitled to all the privileges and immunities of a Member of Parliament.
- The Solicitor General of India and the Additional Solicitor General of India assist the Attorney General in performing his official duties.
- The Attorney General has the right of audience in all courts of the Government of India while discharging his official duties.
Removal
The Constitution does not provide for the removal of the Attorney General, but he holds office during the pleasure of the President and can be removed by the President at any time.
The Attorney General is a constitutional post within the Government of India, serving as the chief law officer of the central and state governments. He advises the government on various legal matters referred to him by the President and the Central Government and also ensures that government actions are in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.