Law officers should not have any conflict with judiciary: CM

Kochi: Law officers working under the Advocate General should not have any conflict with the judiciary, but adopt a positive attitude towards criticism against their style of functioning and move forward, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here Sunday.

He was speaking at a meeting of the law officers working under the Advocate General here.

The meeting, also attended by Law Minister K M Mani, was held against the backdrop of the Kerala High Court's recent criticism against the style of functioning of the office of the AG, the legal adviser to the state government.

Stating that his government accords utmost respect to the judiciary, Chandy said, "There should not be any conflict with the judiciary. Because it is the judiciary which gives us strength. If any criticism is made against your style of functioning, think over it and if it is true, then rectify your mistakes and move forward."

"If the criticism is not correct, then try to convince those who levelled it against you," he said and asked the officers to carry out their work "carefully and more effectively".

The Chief Minister also expressed full confidence in the law officers working under the AG.

Kerala High Court had recently criticised twice the functioning of the AG's office.

In his oral observations, High Court judge Justice Alexander Thomas had said that though there were more than 120 law officers working under the AG, they are not carrying out the proceedings effectively.

Advocate General K P Dandapani and Director-General of Prosecution T Asaf Ali also attended the meeting.