HYC seeks independent probe into AG’s bills

Shillong, Nov 2: The Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council has demanded immediate resignation of Advocate General Amit Kumar over billing of Rs 1,50,000 per appearance before a Commercial Court, with total bills crossing Rs 1 crore.

The council also wanted independent and time-bound inquiry into all legal fees, bills and payments made to hKumar

HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem said latest revelations by Bar Associations as reported on October 31 have deepened public concerns about credibility, integrity and accountability of the state’s highest law officer.

“This is particularly disturbing when one recalls his public statement on September 3, 2026, wherein he maintained that his fees were strictly within Government-approved schedule of Rs 20,000 per High Court appearance and Rs 40,000 per Supreme Court appearance,” Synrem said.

“How does one reconcile these two completely contradictory positions? The public deserves to know why Amit Kumar made categorical statements to the media that appear to contradict the billing records,” he asked.

Stating that it appears to be an attempt to mislead the public, Synrem said, “This is public money, not Conrad Sangma’s personal money, not Amit Kumar’s money and not the property of the government of the day.Every rupee spent by the Government belongs to the people of Meghalaya.”

He said no individual irrespective of his position, connections or proximity to corridors of power is above public accountability.

The HYC demanded independent and time-bound inquiry into all legal fees, bills and payments made to Amit Kumar, disclosure of complete details of public expenditure on AG’s office including payments to his legal team and outstation counsels, and a public explanation on who authorised alleged payments of Rs 1,50,000 per appearance.

“Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma must stop shielding Amit Kumar and demonstrate that his Government is accountable to people rather than to individuals holding powerful positions. Silence is not a defence, political protection is not accountability, and public money is not his personal treasury to spend without answering to the people,” Synrem said.

He urged the citizens, civil society, traditional institutions, political parties and legal fraternity to rise above political affiliations and demand accountability, asking “If an ordinary citizen can be held accountable for every rupee, why should a person occupying the highest legal office of the State be treated differently?”