The Central government has decided that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi may, at his own discretion, appoint law officers to represent the Delhi Police and the NCR government before constitutional courts.

The order passed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on March 12 reads,

"With respect to the appointment of legal officers to represent cases of Delhi Police, it is decided that in respect of those cases which do not fall within the ambit of Section 24 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC) eg. Public Interest Litigations (PILs), Writ Petitions (WPs), etc., the following is ordered with immediate effect.:-

i. Lt. Governor (LG) Delhi may at his own discretion, appoint Law officers(s), and/or other Senior Advocate(s)/Advocate(s), to assist such Law Officer(s) to represent Delhi Police/Government in Constitutional Courts i.e. Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi."

The Order adds that before the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police can be represented by any law officers along with Advocates to assist the law officer so appointed.

On a related note, last month, the Home Department of the NCT of Delhi intimated that a team led by Solicitor General for India Tushar Mehta will represent Delhi Police before the Delhi High Court and other fora in all matters related to the Delhi Riots.

Read the Order: