Row after Ggn MLA Singla’s name figures on govt lawyers’ list

Gurgaon: A few members of the Bar Association have raised objections over the name of Gurgaon MLA Sudhir Singla figuring on the list of empanelled government lawyers. They pointed out that since Singla was a legislator, he could not hold an "office of profit". The MLA, a lawyer by profession, has said he will withdraw his name from the list.
A notice issued by the justice department on July 29 lists 122 lawyers to represent various government entities at the Gurgaon district court. While there are 100 lawyers for the main Gurgaon court, 22 are for the sub-courts in Sohna and Farukhnagar. These lawyers will represent various boards, corporations, universities, cooperative banks and other autonomous bodies.
The objections against Singla started when the government junked a 2015 list of lawyers and brought out its own list, which had the MLA representing four entities. “After due consideration, the government has decided to accept the proposal of the advocate-general to scrap all old existing panels of advocates issued in the year 2015. After scrapping all the existing panel of advocates, the government has further decided to issue the new panel list of advocates,” the letter said.
The name of Singla figures on serial number 84. According to the list, he is supposed to represent the Haryana agro industries, power utilities, School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad and Seed Development Corporation.
“He cannot hold two offices of the government. He should either withdraw his name from the panel of lawyers or give up his membership of the legislative assembly,” said a member of the Bar Association.
Singla said it would be wrong to call it “office of profit” as he wasn’t earning anything by just being on the list. “Being on the list of empanelled lawyers does not entitle you to any monetary benefits. Such lawyers get remuneration only when they appear in court for a hearing. I am going to withdraw my name,” the MLA said.