The AG lied to the court, he should resign: SC Bar Assn President

Attorney General (AG) GE Vahanvati is facing severe criticism after the CBI stated in an affidavit that he had not only seen, but also suggested changes to the draft status report of its Coalgate probe. The affidavit contradicts the AG’s claim that he never saw the report and had nothing to do with it. Embarrassed by his conduct, members of his own fraternity- the Supreme Court Bar Association- are planning to move the court seeking action against him. In an interview with Firstpost, senior lawyer and Association president MN Krishnamani talks about the conduct of the AG and standards of judiciary in India. [caption id=“attachment_766019” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI[/caption] You said that the Supreme Court Bar Association may move court seeking action against Vahanvati for bringing disrepute to the profession. Now, after Wednesday’s hearing in court, have you decided on your line of action? I was present during whole of the hearing. Vahanvati was explaining his position and he was apologetic to the court. In this particular hearing, the court said it would not discuss Vahanvati’s role  at length. More or less, in an indirect way, the stand is that he has not anything wrong and that the former additional solicitor general (ASG) and others are to be blamed. Currently, the court is concerned with the independence of the CBI and how to insulate it. That seems to be the primary task right now than probing the conduct of the AG. They have not left it. They might take suo- moto action. Do you think the AG should resign like the ASG? To resign or not, is up to him. He has attempted to mislead the court. In fairness, he should resign. But then it depends on individual. The association has received 250 signatures from its members demanding action against the AG. Any movement there? The association will hold a meeting in a day or two to discuss the future course of action. Does the association have power to remove or impeach the AG? The association can move an application before the Supreme Court to take action against whosoever has erred including the AG. On the basis of what we know so far, what are your views about the conduct of the AG? It appears that he said something which is not a fact. It amounts to telling lie in the court. This is unpardonable. It is unfortunate that the court is inclined to go to the main issue. He took advantage of it. Do you agree with the perception that it is good for the government to appoint an AG who toes the line? Of course, it is good to have an AG who listens to the government than someone who abides by rules and ethics. Are you surprised by the accusations leveled on a senior member of your fraternity? No, I am not. I believe lawyers are not following ethics. There are no values. Most of us are selfish. The result is that standards are now abysmally low. But the good thing is that there is a realization that a problem exists and the apex court is aiming at achieving something better. You mean to say the Supreme Court is still the conscience keeper? Yes. Look at what it is doing in coalgate. Even after whatever has gone wrong, the court is aiming at course correction. It has asked the government to tell it how it plans to make CBI independent.