Though both Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti the leaders of two rival contenders for power in Jammu & Kashmir have sought immediate cancellation of the appointment of Aseem Sawhney the defence lawyer of one of the main accused in Kathua bakerwal minor girl’s rape and murder case as additional advocate general but governor N N Vohra has choosen to remain silence over the controversial appointment of Aseem Sawhney. Even naives can understand that the silence of Governor N N Vohra over the demand for cancellation of Sawhney’s appointment as additional advocate general speaks volumes about the intents of governor in conceding the demand of Omar and Mehbooba for cancellation of Sawhney’s appointment. Keeping in view the ramifications of any concessions to sponsors and supporters of the Kathua rape case accused in the present hostile political atmosphere in Jammu & Kashmir state the governor should not have taken much time in responding to the demand of Omar and Mehbooba for removal of Sawhney. Interestingly the Vohra administration has appointed Assem Sawhney the defence lawyer of main accused in Kathua bakerwal minor girl’s rape and murder case as additional advocate general at a time when days are left for the next hearing of the article 35 A in the supreme court of the country and new issues are developing in the trial of Kathua minor rape case in the Pathankote district court.
Better for Governor N N Vohra to break his silence over the demands of Omar and Mehbooba for the cancellation of Sawhney’s appointment than to continue silence just for allowing Sawhney to continue at the cost of integrity of an institution directly connected with the working of justice delivery system in the state.
Engagements of controversial lawyers as top advocates of the government amid trial of the crucial cases like article 35 A and Kathua minor girl’s rape case in supreme court of the country and a designated district court at Pathankote respectively can spoil all the good work done by the previous Mehbooba government in dealing with contentious issues in the supreme court and many more courts within and outside Jammu & Kashmir and consequently doubts created by controversial appointments amid trials of contentious issues in courts are bound to bring into doubts the integrity of the Vohra administration. So better for Governor N N Vohra to break his silence over the demands of Omar and Mehbooba for the cancellation of Sawhney’s appointment than to continue silence just for allowing Sawhney to continue at the cost of integrity of an institution directly connected with the working of justice delivery system in the state.
