The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association has called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to urgently address the ongoing vacancy of the Advocate General position in the region, which has remained unfilled for the past six months.
The post, vacant since October 2024 following the resignation of DC Raina after the formation of the National Conference-led government, continues to be a point of contention between the Lieutenant Governor’s office and the administration led by Abdullah.
In a letter to the two leaders, Bar Association President K. Nirmal Kotwal underscored the growing challenges facing the legal community due to the absence of an Advocate General. Specifically, advocates are encountering significant delays in accessing benefits from the Advocates’ Welfare Fund, a situation exacerbated by the vacancy. As an ex-officio member of the fund’s committee, the Advocate General’s role is critical in approving welfare claims, but without a permanent appointment, many files remain in limbo, causing financial and emotional strain for advocates and their families.
The Bar has urged both Sinha and Abdullah to take immediate action to fill the role, emphasizing that the prompt appointment is essential for the smooth operation of the Welfare Fund and the broader legal framework in Jammu and Kashmir.
