In a tumultuous 18 months marked by political upheaval and legal controversies, the Punjab Government has once again changed its legal helm, appointing senior advocate Gurminder Singh as the state’s new Advocate-General, marking the third such appointment under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government.

The announcement comes a day after the Supreme Court’s reprimand in the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal case, adding to the challenges faced by the Punjab Government.

The appointment of Gurminder Singh, popularly known as Garry, follows the resignation of his predecessor Vinod Ghai, also a senior advocate who had cited “personal reasons” for stepping down from the position. However, insiders suggest that Ghai was asked to resign due to his perceived failure in defending the government's decision to dissolve village panchayats ahead of scheduled elections.

The move had sparked criticism from the opposition, who labeled it as politically motivated. Multiple petitions challenging the decision were also filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ultimately leading to the Government's decision to withdraw the notification on August 31.

The controversy over dissolving the panchayats also resulted in the suspension of two senior civil servants, with blame placed on them for the “wrong decision”. Notably, the senior IAS officer DK Tiwari, the principal secretary to the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, has since been reinstated.

Speculations about Ghai's removal had been circulating for some time. Ghai, a renowned criminal lawyer, assumed the role of Advocate-General in July 2022, succeeding Anmol Rattan Sidhu, who had also resigned, citing personal reasons. With these frequent changes in the Advocate-General position, criticism has arisen about the government's ability to provide consistent legal representation.

Shiromani Akali Dal’s senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticized the government’s approach, suggesting that when the Chief Minister's leadership is perceived as lacking, no Advocate-General can effectively help the state, especially when it’s facing legal challenges.

Gurminder Singh’s appointment was approved during an emergent Cabinet meeting convened by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday morning at his camp office in the Chief Minister’s residence. Gurminder Singh brings with him over 30 years of experience in the legal field, specializing in constitutional, commercial, tender, service, arbitration, and criminal matters. His previous roles include serving as assistant Advocate-General, deputy Advocate-General, and additional Advocate-General in Punjab.

The history of Advocate-Generals in Punjab has seen a remarkable turnover in recent years, with six individuals occupying the position in just past two years. This situation reflects the volatile political landscape and changes in leadership in the state. The tenure of Advocate-Generals in Punjab is not fixed and typically lasts as long as the appointing government remains in power.

The recent appointment of Gurminder Singh as the new Advocate-General underscores the government's commitment to address legal challenges and ensuring robust legal representation for the state. However, the frequent changes in this position raise questions about stability and consistency in the legal affairs of Punjab. As the state grapples with various legal issues, including the SYL canal case, the performance and effectiveness of the new Advocate-General will be closely monitored.

Punjab Saw 6 AGs in 2 Years

The revolving door of Advocate-Generals in Punjab over the past two years has raised eyebrows and cast a shadow over the state's legal affairs. While the term of an Advocate-General isn't set in stone, it is traditionally linked to the duration of the appointing government's rule. However, this norm seems to have been thrown out the window as the state has seen an astonishing six Advocate-Generals in just two years.

The saga began with senior advocate Atul Nanda, who took on the role when Capt Amarinder Singh assumed office as the Chief Minister in 2017. However, Nanda's tenure came to an abrupt end in September 2021 when, in a sudden change of guard, Charanjit Singh Channi replaced Capt Amarinder.

Channi, in his short-lived tenure, appointed APS Deol as Advocate-General. However, even Deol’s term proved to be fleeting, as the Chief Minister was reportedly compelled to replace him with DS Patwalia amidst the strong insistence and opposition by the then Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had resigned from his post in protest.

As the political winds shifted yet again, AAP swept to power in March 2022 — bringing another AG into the fold, with Anmol Rattan Sidhu taking up the role, followed by Vinod Ghai in July 2022. The appointment of Gurminder Singh as the latest AG under the AAP’s 18-month tenure is just the latest chapter in this ongoing saga, raising concerns about the state's ability to provide consistent and effective legal representation amidst a backdrop of legal challenges and political changes.