The Attorney General of India serves as India’s top law officer, providing advice to government on legal matters as well as performing duties assigned by President. They represent government in any requests made for reference before Supreme Court under Article 143 of Indian Constitution.
The Attorney General is appointed by the President and serves at his/her pleasure; however, there is no specified term or procedure or grounds for removal in the Constitution.
1. He resigns when the government resigns
The Attorney General serves as chief legal adviser to the Government of India. He advises President of any legal matters brought before him, while fulfilling other responsibilities of legal nature. As part of his duties he has access to all courts across India as well as similar privileges enjoyed by Members of Parliament.
He or she is appointed by the President upon the advice of the Council of Ministers, serving until their removal at any time by him or her, usually when one or more Council of Ministers members resign or replace themselves. Although the Constitution does not specify what grounds may justify removal, usually this happens when one resigns or leaves office.
The Attorney General is assisted by two Solicitors-General and other law officers. As the top legal official in India, he holds various powers and functions ranging from representing India in court proceedings and providing briefs to the Supreme Court to handling public disputes – among many others.
2. He resigns when the government is replaced
As is common practice and convention, Attorneys General typically step down when the government that appointed them is changed; this allows the new administration to reap the benefit of his or her expertise and experience.
The position of Attorney General is a constitutional office charged with representing and advising government in legal matters, demanding integrity and professionalism on an unparalleled scale. He or she receives no salary but instead receives a retainer payment from central government which allows him/her to engage in both public and private practice – although some restrictions exist regarding which cases they can accept as clients.
Soli Sorabjee, former Attorney General of India, was widely respected for his expertise in constitutional law and human rights. He played a crucial role in landmark cases like State of Madras vs Champakam Dorairajan which helped shape affirmative action principles across India.
3. He resigns when the government is dissolved
The Attorney General of India serves as the government’s principal legal advisor, providing advice to President on legal matters and representing it in court cases, in addition to fulfilling other responsibilities listed in the Constitution of India. Appointed by President on advice of Council of Ministers and serving at his discretion until removed at any time by him; removal is permanent.
The Attorney General enjoys audience rights in all courts within India. Additionally, he may take part in proceedings of both Houses of Parliament or their joint sitting and any committee of Parliament he may be named to, without voting rights; additionally he enjoys all privileges and immunities accorded to members of Parliament.
Es is customary for an Attorney General to resign when their government changes, since their term runs concurrent with that of those appointed him or her.
4. He resigns when the government is removed
The Attorney General in India serves as the highest law officer, providing advice to government on all legal matters and appearing before the Supreme Court for cases that involve India as well as fulfilling other constitutional duties imposed upon him.
The Attorney General does not serve a fixed term under the Constitution and can be dismissed at any time by the President, although private practice remains permissible unlike with other government officials.
The Attorney General must be a citizen of India and have served either five years as a Supreme Court judge or ten years as an advocate, or both, respectively. They must also be recognized as an eminent jurist by President. Furthermore, their appointment grants them standing to appear before any court within India and they are entitled to receive any remuneration determined by President.