Advocate General rubbishes allegations by Bar associations

Shillong, Sept 3: Advocate General Amit Kumar clarified on Thursday (Sept 3) that his fees fixed by the government were within the permissible limit and asserted that the government benefited crores of rupees by his legal practice in the state.

Kumar welcomed any sort of probe against him.

According to the advocate general, he was concerned about molestation of law interns by a senior advocate and did not cast aspersions on the bar associations.

Full text of the press release below

“Advocate General of Meghalaya, Shri Amit Kumar, today addressed the media in the wake of the recent developments regarding the statements made by him in the Hon’ble High Court in a case of involving allegation of assault of a senior member of the bar by non-state actors and also addressed the issue of allegation of abuse of power by him as the Advocate General.

The Advocate General clarified that he did not cast any aspersion on the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association or the Shillong Bar Association. He stated that the turn of events on 3^rd of August indicated that the senior member of the Bar who was accused of sexual molestation had also been accused of similar offences in the past i.e., in 2024 and 2017. In this context, he said that he was also to be blamed as it was a failure on his part as well, as such an instance was repeated. Advocate General clarified that it was in the said context that the statement was made in respect to the incident of molestation case of a young law intern. He clarified that he has been an integral part of the Bar even much before he became Advocate General. It was also highlighted by the Advocate General that his statements in the Court were preceded by a representation by about 87 members of the Bar seeking reforms to ensure a more inclusive working environment for female advocates. He has also stated that he has, already by his letter dated 13th August, 2026 expressed regret if sentiments have been hurt for utterances inside court or in his letter dated 4th August, 2026. He is always open to dialogue and discussion. His grievance was that he was condemned unheard. He said that he has been practising in Meghalaya for the last 25 years and shall continue to practise in the state of Meghalaya whether he is Advocate General or not. He also said that to label him as an outsider is unfair.

He expressed his gratitude to the Bar Association and the Bar Council as both the institutions submitted in their affidavit that the adequate measures have been taken to provide institutional mechanism to fill the lacune in redressal of grievance of lady members of the Bar which has been duly recorded in the order of the Hon’ble High Court disposing off the writ petition preferred by High Court and Shillong Bar Association. He also says that it is the silver lining in the dark cloud.

So far as allegation of abuse of power and engagement of outside lawyers including lawyers from his family are concerned, he stated the following:

1. He placed the data stating from 1st January to 31st August 2026, he had occasion to appear in cases, held meetings with Govt. officials, rendered opinions in about 1000 matters.
2. He also stated that he is supported by a team of 11 lawyers which consisted of local lawyers and highly qualified lawyers. He has also stated for each case done by him, or opinion given by him or research of assistance given to him by his team of lawyers, no bill has been raised by a team of his lawyers including family members from the State Government. Even his family member or his son has not raised a single memo of fee on the State Govt. The compensation or remuneration to his team is borne by him through his personal account.
3. He also stated that the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya panel has about 39 Advocates and all of whom are local to the State of Meghalaya. He also supplied the list and said that all the cases are distributed to them only.  He also stated that on account of his pre-occupation,  only in a handful matters, he has taken the assistance of his team members and that too in public interest i.e. AICTE matters, reservation issue.
4. He also appealed to the senior members of the Bar to come forward and become Govt. lawyers as in PIL and other associated matters, and Govt. panel seriously requires expansion of panel  at the senior level.
5. He also shared Office Memorandum No. LR(B).13/2002/Pt/167 dated 11.10.2018 and said that the fee to him is strictly being paid as per the notification. He also said that the fee which was fixed on 1st April, 2018 i.e. last eight and half years has not been enhanced. He also drew the attention of the press to a recent notification engaging local special counsel, the Govt. has been paying up to five times the fee of the Advocate General as appearance fee for the said special counsel.
6. He is fully committed to transparency and probity.
7. He also highlighted his contribution to the cause of the general public in the form of various cases like the right of indigenous community to the mineral rights (All Dimasa in Supreme Court), his contribution in setting up Medical College and National Law University in the State of Meghalaya, his contribution in streamlining the State Government cases.
8. He also answered the issue of engagement of outside counsel by highlighting the facts that in all complex and technical, commercial matters, even senior members of the Bar routinely engage counsels from outside Meghalaya. Therefore, in the public interest, he is required to take assistance from the Senior Counsel and also lawyers from his team.
9. He also highlighted that when stakes are high especially he pointed out three arbitration cases, where the claims were approximately INR 1600 crores (collectively). He highlighted that with the assistance of his team, he has almost succeeded in all matters. He also pointed out that the cases require extensive research, preparation and continuous dedicated support. Fees paid in certain cases are in fact part of the costs awarded by the Arbitral Tribunal in favour of the State, to be recovered from the private party.
10. He also highlighted the fact that engagement of advocate is squarely a prerogative of the Government. Government has to engage advocates keeping in mind the interest of the State.
11. He welcomed inquiry as to whether by the Govt. made any payment contrary to the 2018 notification stated above for the government cases.

He  also welcomed the Government’s move  to look into complaints of the Bar as well as responses of Advocate General in next two weeks. He stated that thus far the issue has been unnecessarily subject to trial of Advocate General in social media without any material”.