Madras HC issues notice to TN govt over appointment of advocates

The Madras High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the state government after hearing a petition filed by senior DMK leader TKS Elangovan challenging the appointment of advocates allegedly owing allegiance to AIADMK as members of Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.

Elangovan sought declaration of the appointments as illegal, ultra vires and violative of the Constitution and various directives of the Supreme Court.

The advocate, who were appointed as members of TNPSC, have no experience in administration, he claimed. 

When the matter came up before Justice R Subbaiah, Advocate General A L Somayaji representing the government submitted that the appointments had already been made.

The judge then directed the AG to file the counter by March 4 and issued notice to the advocates and the public service commission.

Appearing on behalf of Elangovan, a former MP, senior counsel P Wilson argued that the constitutional trust that was reposed on the Chief Secretary "has been breached for political reasons".

The petitioner submitted that the institutional integrity and transparency in the appointment of advocates were given ago-by. The main criteria in the appointments were their allegiance to the AIADMK party, the petitioner alleged.