“With gripping political instability and thousands of cases pending in courts, the absence of a political process makes legal intervention and aid essential,” Mr. Parra said. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) raised concern over the “failure” of the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir to appoint an Advocate General for the Union Territory, nine months after assuming office.
“Nine months into an elected government, J&K still has no Advocate General. At a time when critical constitutional matters stemming from August 5 are in courts, this vacuum is deliberate. In a border state facing cross-border threats, denying legal aid and advice stalls justice, accountability, and healing,” PDP leader and MLA from Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said.
National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah took over as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in October last year and permitted Advocate General D.C. Raina to continue representing the UT in court proceedings. Mr. Raina was appointed to the post by former Governor Satya Pal Malik in November 2019.
However, Mr. Raina’s prolonged absence from court hearings in recent months has fuelled speculation that his resignation may have been accepted by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
“With gripping political instability and thousands of cases pending in courts, the absence of a political process makes legal intervention and aid essential, not only to preserve hope and faith in the democratic process but to uphold the credibility of the criminal justice system,” Mr. Parra said.
In several instances, courts in Jammu and Kashmir have remarked that “it would be essential to hear the learned Advocate General” to adjudicate upon key matters pending before them.
Published – July 02, 2025 11:50 pm IST
