Lawyers form DYFI unit in HC; LC in the making

Kochi: Although the Kerala high court had asked lawyers, especially government pleaders, to stay away from politics while holding key positions, the lawyers supporting the CPM have decided to form a local committee in the high court. Two weeks ago, young advocates formed a unit of DYFI, the youth wing of the CPM, in the high court.

The party already has a branch committee consisting of 30 members in the court. Interestingly, candidates for elections to the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association were also chosen based on their political leniency.

It is learnt that the party is planning to strengthen its unit in the high court. A.V. George, branch secretary of the CPM high court unit refused to divulge the details and claimed that the branch was not as effective as a normal branch committee of the party.

According to sources, the High Court branch plays a key role in selecting government pleaders during the LDF tenure. Apart from the branch committee, the left-supported All-India Lawyers Union is also functioning in the High Court.

Recently, Justice Harun Ul Rashid had criticised the government for appointing pleaders on the basis of political leniency alone. Of late, even key officials, including Advocate-General and Director- General of Prosecution, were selected based on the political leniency of the persons.