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Raipur, Nov 21 (IANS) In a rapid reshuffle at the top of the state’s legal machinery, the Chhattisgarh government on Friday appointed senior lawyer Vivek Sharma as the new advocate general, succeeding Prafull N. Filling the vacancy created by Bharat’s resignation.
The Department of Law and Legislative Affairs issued a formal notification in exercise of powers under Article 165(1) of the Constitution of India.
Sharma, who was till now serving as Additional Advocate General in the Bilaspur bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court, will assume charge immediately after assuming charge.
The appointment comes with the standard powers and responsibilities of the Chief Legal Officer of the state, who represents the government in the High Court and the Supreme Court.
Prafulla N., an experienced lawyer practicing for more than three decades. Bharat has tendered his resignation. The government accepted his resignation with immediate effect on Friday.
In his farewell note, Bharat expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, Cabinet, bureaucrats and Bar members for their support during his nearly two-year tenure, which began under the BJP government in January 2024.
He highlighted the challenges of protecting the interests of a welfare state in the High Courts and thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve as the first law officer.
Bharat’s departure, though described as personal in official circles, ends a tenure marked with his handling of major constitutional and civil cases. He had previously served as Additional Advocate General from 2014-2018 during the Raman Singh-led BJP government.
Newly appointed Vivek Sharma brings extensive experience from the High Court Bar. One of the seven additional advocates general named in January 2024 soon after Bharat’s elevation, Sharma has been actively representing the state in Bilaspur.
The change comes as Chhattisgarh is grappling with several high-profile lawsuits, including coal block allocation and Naxal-related cases.
Sources indicate that Sharma’s familiarity with the government’s legal team made him a natural choice.
–IANS
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