THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the Opposition demanded the ouster of Advocate-General K. P. Dandapani in view of the High Court's adverse observations, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy defended him strongly in the Assembly on Friday.
“Some persons seem to be intolerant towards the Advocate-General who has won almost all major cases for the state. One should not forget their roots and should show dignity to the posts they hold,” the Chief Minister said indirectly attacking the High Court judge who passed the adverse remarks.
The Opposition, which staged a walkout from the House after an adjournment motion on the matter was disallowed, alleged that the Advocate-General's incompetence was exposed by the court and hence he should be ousted.
The Chief Minister said that during the last four years, Mr Dandapani had represented almost all major cases of the state and won. “We had not sought the services of senior lawyers from Delhi by spending huge amounts as was done frequently by the previous LDF government. The government is confident of the competence of the Advocate- General,” he said.
Mr Chandy also said that the High Court judge who passed the adverse remarks had earlier mentioned during a hearing in a case that he knew the accused personally and was sure of his character.
He had even said in the court that had M. K. Damodaran (former advocate- general) been the advocate-general, the police would have acted as per the AG's direction. Such words from a judge were improper, Mr Chandy said.
