The Jammu and Kashmir government on November 5 assured the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that the vacant J&K Advocate General post will be filled within one month [Harsh Dubey V/s UT of J&K].

The submission was made during the hearing of a a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking the immediate appointment of an Advocate General for the Union Territory.

Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli last week submitted that the appointment process is underway and would be completed within a month.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajnesh Oswal took the submission on record before adjourning the case till December 8.

Notably, the post of Advocate General has remained vacant since October 18, 2024, following the resignation of the then Advocate General DC Raina. The vacancy has continued for more than two years.

Raina resigned after the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government took charge in the Union Territory. Since then, the Lieutenant Governor and National Conference government haven't been able to fill the vital post. 

The PIL filed by advocate Harsh Dubey has sought directions to the competent authority to take immediate steps to fill the constitutional post. 

As per the petition, the continued vacancy of the constitutional office is affecting the administration of justice and the discharge of statutory functions attached to the post.

The plea points out that the vacancy has also impacted the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir Advocates Welfare Fund Trustee Committee since the Advocate General serves as its ex-officio Chairperson under the Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 2001.