Attorney General

The Attorney General of India can be described as the one who is the highest officer of law. The Attorney General is a part of the Union Executive. The office of the Attorney General of India can be observed from Article 76 of the Constitution. The Attorney General of India is K.K. Venugopal.

K.K. Venugopal’s term as the Attorney General for India has now been extended by the Central Government for more than a year. The tenure of K.K. Venugopal is being extended for the second time by the Central Government. Earlier also in the year 2020, his term got extended. K.K. Venugopal is the fifteenth attorney general of India who succeeded Mukul Rohatgi, the Attorney General of India from the year 2014 to 2017.

Eligibility and Appointment

The President of the country is the one who appoints the Attorney General for the country based on the Government’s advice. It is necessary for the Attorney General to be an individual who is officially recognised to get selected as the Supreme Court Judge. Thus, one can say that the Attorney General ought to be a citizen of India. Further, for five years the Attorney General essentially completes the tenure as a judge of the high court or for a duration of ten years, the Attorney General must have been an advocate of some high court or a distinguished jurist, as per the view of the President.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Attorney General performs significant functions for the betterment of the country. One crucial function performed by the Attorney General is advising the GoI regarding law related concerns that are stated to the Attorney General by the President. The Attorney General can also come as a representative of the Government of India in Supreme Court cases as well as in those High Court cases where the Government is concerned.

Rights and Limitations

The Attorney General has various rights and limitations. The first right that can be the right to say and right of participating in the proceedings of the Houses of the Parliament or both the house’s joint sitting as well as any Parliament’s committee wherein the Attorney General might be a member, however not have the voting right.

The Attorney General can further enjoy the various privileges that are enjoyed by the Parliament members. The Attorney General does not fall in the government servant’s category. Further, the Attorney General is not prevented from legal practice which is private. Although, the Attorney General ought to not suggest or hold a brief opposing the Government of India.

Term of the office and Removal

The term of Attorney General is not predetermined by the Constitution as well as the process and basis for removal of the Attorney General are not mentioned in the Constitution. The Attorney General holds the office during the pleasure of the President and can be removed at any time by the President.

Conclusion

As observed from the above discussion the Attorney General of India is K.K. Venugopal. There are a lot of roles and responsibilities that are taken care of by the Attorney General. Further, we also learnt that the tenure of K.K. Venugopal was extended for the second time by the Central Government. Previously as well in the year 2020, his term had been extended. K.K. Venugopal is the fifteenth attorney general of India who succeeded Mukul Rohatgi, the Attorney General of India from the year 2014 to 2017. Along with these roles and responsibilities the eligibility criteria, rights and limitations are also mentioned above.