Non-appearance of panel counsel on behalf of Union of India before Courts – Department of Legal Affairs O.M.
भारत सरकार (GOVERNMENT OF INDIA)
रेल मंत्रालय (MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS)
रेलवे बोर्ड (RAILWAY BOARD)
No. 2025/LC/Circulars
New Delhi, Dated: .10.2025
The General Managers,
All Indian Railways & Production Units
Sub: Non-appearance of panel counsel on behalf of Union of India before Courts – regarding.
Ref: Ministry of Law and Justice, OM F. no. J-12017/4/2025-Judicial dated 23/09/2025.
Please find attached herewith a copy of the letter under reference from Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs regarding the subject matter for information and necessary action at your end.
Sd/-
(Mohd. Muqeem)
Legal Adviser (Railways)
Railway Board
DA: As above.
Copy to: DG/RPF, PED/Monitoring, ED/E(RRB).
F No. J-12017/4/2025-Judicial
Government of India
Ministry of Law & Justice
Department of Legal Affairs
(Judicial Section)
Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated the 23rd September, 2025
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Non-appearance of panel counsel on behalf of Union of India before Courts even after receiving the notices – regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to the observation of the Hon’ble Allahabad High Court (PB) at Prayagraj vide Order dated 15.07.2025 (copy enclosed) in WP (C) No. 22398 of 2025 – ‘Shakeel Ahmed Vs. The Ministry of External Affairs, South Block and another’, the relevant portion of which is reiterated below:
“1. Office of Additional Solicitor General of India, has accepted notice in the instant case, but, none is present on behalf of the respondents.
2. Let the instant order be communicated to the Ministry of Law, Union of India, as often we find that despite notice having been received, no one remains present in the court to provide assistance.”
2. The negligence on part of panel counsel as per above observation is not only the violation of terms & conditions of this Department but also compromising the interests of Union of India before courts.
3. In this regard, Central Agency Section, all the four Branch Secretariats, Litigation Sections of this Department and designated litigation in-charges i.e. ASGIs, DSGIs, Sr. CGSCs and SGCs concerned are directed to strictly ensure the presence of panel counsel engaged in each and every case on all dates without fail. In case of violation, the name of defaulter panel counsel should also be informed to this Department for appropriate action.
4. This is issued with the approval of Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law & Justice.
Encls: As above.
(M. C. Prusty)
Senior Government Advocate
Court No. – 21
Case :– WRIT – C No. – 22398 of 2025
Petitioner :- Shakeel Ahmad
Respondent :- The Ministry Of External Affairs South-Block And Anothers
Counsel for Petitioner :- Mohammad Arif Siddiqui
Counsel for Respondent :- A.S.G.I.,Vineet Singh Parmar
Hon’ble Manoj Kumar Gupta,J.
Hon’ble Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra,J.
1. Office of Additional Solicitor General of India, has accepted notice in the instant case, but none is present on behalf of the respondents.
2. Let the instant order be communicated to the Ministry of Law, Union of India, as often we find that despite notice having been received, no one remains present in the Court to provide assistance.
3. Registrar Compliance shall ensure communication of the instant order.
4. Put up as fresh on 24th July, 2025.
5. Name of Sri Vineet Singh Parmar, shall be shown as counsel for the petitioner and not as counsel for the respondent.
Order Date :- 15.7.2025
Ashish/-
(R.M.N. Mishra, J.)
(Manoj Kumar Gupta, J.)
COMMENTS