STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a Public Interest Litigation filed by Meenakshi Salathia a practicing lawyer seeking strict enforcement Jammu & Kashmir Rules framed by the Governor during Governor rules laying down criteria for appointment of State Law Officers.
A Division Bench of State High Court Comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur after hearing Sr. Adv BS Salathia with Adv Bhanu Singh Salathia for the PIL whereas Advocate General DC Raina with Deputy AG Aseem Sawhney appearing for the state, observed that certain prayers are made, some of them are premature, namely seeking direction to implement J&K Law Officers (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2016 while appointing Law Officers, Public Prosecutors and Standing Counsels.
Division Bench further observed that even though no prayer is made in the prayer portion, after going through para of the writ petition with regard to payment of retainership/counsel fee payable to the Law Officers which has not been paid, Division Bench directed Deputy AG Aseem Sawhney take notice and file response.
Division Bench further observed that Insofar as prayer seeking direction to Registrar General to apprise this Court about the exact number of contempt petitions pending in both the Wings of this High Court and for direction to Registry to treat all the contempt petitions as specially ordered cases, directed Registrar General to furnish a list of contempt petitions year-wise including the orders passed by the Judges concerned against which the said contempt petitions are filed, for passing administrative orders for posting the contempt matters by giving priority.