Assertive CM Oommen Chandy calls pleaders’ meet

Kochi: In a clear signal to stamp the authority of the executive, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Law minister K.M. Mani have convened a meeting of all the government pleaders in Kochi and discuss the adverse comments made by Justice Alexander Thomas on the AG's Office. Law secretary B.G. Hareendranath will also attend the meet.

This is first of its kind meeting in the recent history where CM and all the top lawyers of the state attend a meeting to discuss conduct of cases at High Court.

CM has asked all the 120 government pleaders to attend the meeting which would be held at Bolgatty palace at 3 pm on Sunday.

According to top sources the meeting is called to lend moral support to the law officers who are stung by the outburst of a sitting judge of Kerala High Court.

Advocate General K P Dandapani, Director General of Prosecutions T Asaf Ali, Additional Advocate General K A Jaleel and State Attorney P Vijayaraghavan will attend the meeting.

"With the tussle between Advocate General and the court reaching a flash point CM has decided to meet the law officers" a top source said. It is yet to know whether CM and Law minister is planning a closed door meeting.

Meanwhile High Court Registrar (Judicial) has filed a report before Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan on the recent High Court order passed by Justice Alexander Thomas. According to top sources Registrar R Suresh filed the report before CJ's residency in Kochi on Saturday evening.

However government pleaders claim that the meeting was pre-planned. CM Oommen Chandy had called for the meeting two months back and this has nothing to do with the recent controversy a lawyer close to AG's office said.

Meanwhile government pleaders forum registered a protest against remarks made by the Judge. They issued a press release stating that they are doing their duty effeciently.