Amit Kumar asserts his comments not against entire bar
Shillong, Sept 3: Under fire from the lawyer fraternity in Meghalaya, Advocate General (AG) Amit Kumar has made his first public clarification on the charges by bar associations against him, saying his “misinterpreted” comments on alleged molestation by a senior advocate led to this situation.
He said saying his remarks were misinterpreted as an attack on the entire bar, prompting bar associations to indefinitely boycott of court proceedings demanding the AG’s removal.
Clarifying that he’s still a member of the bar, he said, “This press conference is not against the bar associations or members of the bar. I am still a member of the bar, whether I am AG or not.”
Kumar said the controversy began after a young intern filed a complaint alleging molestation by a senior member of the bar.
“An unfortunate incident took place. The young intern gathered courage and filed a complaint. Non-state actors acted on it, which is unfortunate. We should not take law into our own hands,” he said.
According to Kumar, a case was registered on July 29 against the senior advocate, while an FIR was also registered on July 31 against those who allegedly assaulted the advocate, after the matter was taken up by the High Court.
On July 31, 87 lawyers submitted a representation to the High Court Bar Association seeking an institutional mechanism to deal with such complaints and to ensure a better workplace for women lawyers, he said.
“A status report was sought by the High Court and we submitted it on August 3, stating that the accused had been apprehended,” he said.
Kumar claimed the same advocate was accused in similar cases earlier.
“Before August 3, a young government advocate told me this had not happened for the first time. The same person had allegedly molested an intern in 2017. From the case diary, I found that in 2024 also, a lady intern was molested by the same person and her statement was recorded,” he said.
He said the accused has been on the government panel since 2013 and the earlier cases were not known to him until disclosed confidentially.
Kumar said the 2017 case was closed for insufficient evidence despite a clear statement by the survivor naming the accused.
“The case was closed despite enough evidence. As AG, it is my duty to ensure the welfare of members is taken care of. I did not blame the High Court Bar Association or Shillong Bar Association,” he said.
He said he was asked to disclose the name of the complainant, but he refused.
“It is my duty not to disclose the name of the victim,” he said.
Following his remarks, Kumar said, he was expelled from the bar association on August 5.
“I sought an opportunity to explain that I had not cast aspersions on any member of the bar. The matter was leaked to national media and the Supreme Court Bar Association requested the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association to withdraw its resolution,” he said.
“If what I said has caused hurt, they could have moved the High Court for action against me. Instead, personal attacks were made alleging I favour Delhi lawyers and misused the office,” he added.
Denying allegations of taking Rs 3 crore advance from the Law department, Kumar said, “In eight-and-a-half years as AG, I have not taken a single rupee as advance.”
On engaging outside counsel, he said all 39 government lawyers are from Meghalaya and 11 other lawyers, including his wife and son, work for him without charging the state.
“From August 1 to August 31, I handled 1001 matters — opinions, advice, drafting and appearances. This work requires research support. None of these 11 lawyers, including my family members, have raised a single bill in eight-and-a-half years. If there is material to prove they charged money, I am guilty and will resign,” he said.
On the old cases, he said he would urge authorities to reopen the 2017 case.
“The survivor’s statement is very clear and she has named the person. It should not have been closed on grounds of insufficient evidence. In the 2024 case, we are examining the FIR,” he said, adding that such incidents inside an advocate’s chamber require immense courage for victims to report.
Call for dialogue
Advocate General Amit Kumar has appealed to the lawyer fraternity of Meghalaya to come forward for a dialogue, saying he has no ill feelings towards the bar.
“I have nothing against the Bar. Bar members are my friends,” he said.
Kumar said he was disturbed by what he described as a campaign portraying him as a “molester”. He called it “completely horrible” and “unacceptable”.
He said there appeared to be misunderstandings among some members of the Bar. He added that he had always been willing to meet them and hear their concerns.
Kumar also asked anyone with material or evidence against him to make it public.
He reiterated that he had no personal dispute with members of the bar and called for an open discussion and an amicable resolution of the differences.
