Shillong: The High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association have resolved that all advocates practising before courts and tribunals in Meghalaya shall abstain from judicial work from October 1, until the state government removes Amit Kumar from the post of Advocate General of Meghalaya.
The decision was taken at an emergent joint executive committee meeting of the two associations held on Wednesday, following discussions on the next course of action in pursuance of a resolution adopted at the Joint General Body Meeting of all Bar Associations of Meghalaya on August 24.
According to the resolution, the associations had earlier demanded the removal of Amit Kumar as Advocate General. The joint committee said the demand followed assurances given by the Deputy Chief Minister on September 2 and subsequently by the Chief Minister on September 16 that Kumar would not represent the state government before any court of law pending consideration of the Bar’s demands.
However, the committee alleged that Kumar had continued to appear for the state government before the High Court as well as the District Courts in Shillong.
The resolution specifically referred to Kumar’s appearance on September 30 before the Commercial Court at Shillong on behalf of the state government, describing it as a violation of the assurance given by the Chief Minister and a disregard of the understanding reached with the Bar.
The two associations said the matter was of “grave importance” in relation to the functioning of the Advocate General’s office, as well as the welfare and dignity of the legal fraternity in the state.
“Therefore,” the resolution stated, “all advocates practising before all Courts and Tribunals in the State of Meghalaya shall abstain from judicial work with effect from 1st October, 2026.”
The abstention will not apply to bail and urgent motion matters.
The associations have also resolved to organise a mass rally of members of the legal fraternity in Shillong on October 5, 2026.
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Joint Executive Committee of the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association and has been circulated among the Bar Associations of Meghalaya for information and necessary action.
