Gurminder Singh has resigned as Punjab’s Advocate General, making him the fourth AG to step down during AAP’s three-year tenure. His exit comes amid reports of government dissatisfaction following multiple legal setbacks. In his place, senior advocate Maninderjit Singh Bedi has been appointed as the new Advocate General. This latest change highlights ongoing legal shifts under the AAP administration.
Chandigarh: Senior Advocate Gurminder Singh ‘Gerry’ resigned from his position as Advocate General of Punjab on Saturday, just 18 months after his appointment. He is the fourth individual to step down from this role during the three years of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
Gurminder Singh took office on October 6, 2023, following Vinod Ghai’s resignation, which he cited as being for “personal reasons.”
While Gurminder Singh was unavailable for comment, a senior government official confirmed the news
The official stated,
“His resignation has been accepted. Within two to three days, the government will appoint a new AG,”
The official also mentioned that the AG’s term is set to end on March 31.
Sources indicated that Gurminder Singh’s resignation was anticipated, especially after the Bhagwant Mann-led government requested all 236 law officers on its payroll to submit their resignations on February 21.
Despite speculation about being asked to resign, Gurminder Singh had previously stated,
“I am not resigning.”
A law graduate from Punjab University in Chandigarh, Gurminder Singh is a first-generation lawyer who began his practice in 1989 and was designated a senior advocate in 2014. He has served as standing counsel for several organizations, including the Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India, Union Public Service Commission, and Punjab Vidhan Sabha, specializing in service litigation, constitutional, and criminal matters. He has appeared before the Supreme Court as well as high courts in Chandigarh, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh.
An official from the Punjab AG’s office previously informed that the contracts for the AG and law officers are typically for one year.
However, governments often prefer not to replace them during their five-year tenure, opting for annual contract renewals.
Meanwhile, a government source indicated that the AAP government was dissatisfied with the performance of the AG’s office, particularly after losing several court cases.
The high court’s quashing of FIRs against former Congress minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and another former minister, Sunder Sham Arora, in connection with alleged scams had embarrassed the government.
Additionally, the government’s inability to defend its decision to prematurely dissolve the panchayats last year led to the withdrawal of that notification, further causing embarrassment. At that time, Chief Minister Mann had suspended two senior IAS officers, holding them responsible for the situation.
Last month, the government also removed 1993-batch IPS officer Varinder Kumar from his position as chief director of the state Vigilance Bureau, attaching him to the office of the director general of police. Senior officials suggested that this move was related to the embarrassment the government faced in the Ashu and Arora cases.
When the AAP assumed control of Punjab in March 2022, DS Patwalia was the Advocate General. He resigned within two days of the new government taking office. Anmol Rattan Sidhu was then appointed AG but resigned just four months later, on July 30, 2022. On the same day, the government appointed Vinod Ghai, who served until October 5, 2023, when Gurminder Singh was appointed as AG.
Advocate Maninderjit Singh Bedi has been appointed as the new Advocate General (AG) of Punjab following the resignation of Senior Advocate Gurminder Singh. The notification, released late Sunday evening, announced that the Governor of Punjab appointed Bedi under Article 165 of the Constitution of India, effective from the date he takes charge.
Bedi’s appointment comes after Gurminder Singh expressed his intention to return to private practice, marking the fourth resignation of an AG in Punjab during the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in just three years.
Gurminder Singh’s resignation sent shockwaves through the Punjab legal community. In his resignation letter on Sunday, he cited his desire to resume private practice as the reason for stepping down. However, this decision sparked discussions about the difficulties faced by Advocate Generals in Punjab.
Maninderjit Singh Bedi, a third-generation lawyer from Rampura Phul in Bathinda district, brings extensive experience to his new position. His family has a strong legal legacy, with his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and uncle all serving as legal practitioners in Punjab. Bedi has practiced at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and has held roles such as Additional Advocate General of Punjab, Administrator General, and Official Trustee.
In light of Gurminder Singh’s abrupt resignation, Bedi’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for Punjab, as the state faces several high-profile cases and legal challenges. His experience and expertise will be essential in navigating these complex issues. Experts note that the new AG will need to balance the demands of the AAP government while maintaining principles of justice and fairness.
In Punjab, the Advocate General plays a vital role in advising the government on legal matters and representing the state in court. Bedi’s appointment will be closely monitored by legal experts, policymakers, and the public, all eager to see how he addresses these challenges.