My tenure only till September 30: Attorney General KK Venugopal to Supreme Court

Attorney General for India KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that he might not be in office after September 30..The AG hinted the same when the Constitution Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha was hearing the matter pertaining to the tussle between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor over control of services in the national capital..During the hearing, the Court sought to list the matter for directions on September 27, in anticipation that proceedings before the Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India UU Lalit would come to an end."In case the hearing in CJI court spills over this case will be listed on October 11," Justice Chandrachud informed the counsel appearing before the Bench.At this point, AG Venugopal told the Bench,"There is a little problem. I am only there till September 30.""As I told you, you underestimated the Article 142 power in May," was Justice Chandrachud's response.This indicates that the apex court may ask Venugopal to continue as AG even if the Central government does not extend his tenure.."There is a little problem. I am only there till September 30."AG KK Venugopal."As I told you, you underestimated the Article 142 power in May,"Justice DY Chandrachud.At the end of June this year, AG Venugopal's tenure was extended for a period of three months or "until further orders". This extension is set to expire on September 30..Venugopal was appointed as Attorney General on July 1, 2017 for a three-year term, which was subsequently extended twice, for a year each.He has been a practicing lawyer for over six decades. He enrolled at the Bar in January 1954 before the then Mysore High Court, and thereafter before the Madras High Court, and started his practice under his father, MK Nambiar. He initially practiced in litigation relating to the grant of motor vehicle permits, inter-state permits and variation of routes.Widely regarded as an expert in Constitutional Law, Venugopal shifted base to Delhi from Chennai 25 years after joining the Bar in Madras. He was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court in 1972. He served as Additional Solicitor General for the Morarji Desai government in the late 70s.