Odisha DGP Appointment: Solicitor General apologises for Pitambar Acharya remark on Amicus

Bhubaneswar: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Thursday apologised in the Supreme Court for a remark made by Odisha Advocate General Pitambar Acharya about Amicus Curiae Raju Ramachandran during the hearing of the Odisha DGP appointments case.

The apology came a day after Acharya remarked that Ramachandran was presenting the case before the Supreme Court as if he were appearing for the petitioner.

Ramachandran had taken strong objection to the remark and said the Odisha AG should withdraw it.

“I will withdraw from this case if such an allegation by an Advocate General is allowed to be on record. In my 50 years of practice, I have not been told that I have been unfair in this court,” Ramachandran had said.

Responding to the development, Ramachandran said, “Very gracious of him, even though he was not involved.”

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the Court would not allow such allegations, while Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed the Bench does not take note of such comments and that the Amicus was not on trial.

Ramachandran, however, insisted the remark could not be allowed to pass. “I have been put on trial! An AG saying something about Amicus… 50 years in this court,” he said.

Acharya subsequently clarified he had “profound respect” for Ramachandran but said he had to place the facts before the Court. The CJI, in a lighter vein, remarked that an Amicus is generally liked only by the Court.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court deferred further hearing in the Odisha DGP appointments matter until Tuesday. The case concerns challenges to the process adopted by the Odisha government for the selection and appointment of the State’s next DGP.