Notification regarding appointment of 33 Advocates as Additional Public Prosecutor / Public Prosecutor for the High Court of Bombay and its subordinate Courts.

## Report on Appointment of Additional Public Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors in the High Court of Bombay **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs, dated March 22, 2022. The notification appoints a list of advocates as Additional Public Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors for the Union of India in the High Court of Bombay and its subordinate courts. The core purpose is to ensure legal representation for the Central Government in criminal cases within this jurisdiction. The key finding is the establishment of a designated legal team for the Union of India in the Bombay High Court and subordinate courts, valid for three years or until further orders. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an overview of a government notification (S.O. 1271(E)) concerning the appointment of Additional Public Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors for the Union of India within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Bombay. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** * This is a *New Policy* establishing a specific set of legal representatives. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective is to appoint advocates to represent the Union of India (including Departments and Offices of the Central Government) in criminal cases, including writ petitions, criminal appeals, revisions, criminal references and criminal applications, both in the High Court of Bombay and in subordinate courts under its jurisdiction. **4. Background and Rationale:** As this is a new policy establishing appointments, the likely problem/issue it addresses is the need for consistent and readily available legal representation for the Union of India in criminal matters within the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court and its subordinate courts. Without designated public prosecutors, the Central Government would need to appoint counsel on a case-by-case basis, leading to potential delays and inconsistencies. This notification streamlines the process by establishing a pre-approved roster of legal professionals. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** As a New Policy: * The notification, S.O. 1271(E), officially appoints a list of individuals as Additional Public Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors (listed numerically 1 to 33, followed by name). * These appointed advocates are authorized to conduct criminal cases, including writ petitions, criminal appeals, revisions, criminal references and criminal applications, on behalf of the Union of India or any Department or Office of the Central Government. * The appointments cover cases in the High Court of Bombay and subordinate courts under its jurisdiction. * The duration of the appointment is for three years from the date of publication (March 22, 2022) or until further orders, whichever comes first. * The appointed Additional Public Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors are prohibited from appearing *against* the Union of India or any Department or Office of the Central Government in *any* criminal case before the High Court of Bombay and subordinate courts under the jurisdiction of the said High Court during the period of their appointment. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this notification include: * The appointed Additional Public Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors (named in the notification). * The Union of India, its Departments, and Offices, as they are the clients being represented. * The High Court of Bombay and its subordinate courts, as this notification dictates who can represent the Central Government. * Individuals and entities involved in criminal cases against the Union of India within the Bombay High Court's jurisdiction. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs is the responsible agency. R.K. Srivastava, Jt. Secy. and Legal Adviser, signed the notification. * **Timelines:** The appointment is for three years from the date of publication (March 22, 2022) or until further orders, whichever is earlier. * The notification explicitly states that these appointees will act in the High Court of Bombay and its subordinate courts. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The expected outcomes of this notification include: * Streamlined legal representation for the Union of India in criminal matters within the Bombay High Court's jurisdiction. * Improved efficiency in handling criminal cases involving the Central Government. * A readily available pool of qualified legal professionals familiar with representing the Union of India's interests. * Consistent legal strategy and representation across different cases. **9. Conclusion:** The notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs, represents a significant step in formalizing and streamlining the legal representation of the Union of India in criminal matters within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Bombay. By appointing a dedicated team of Additional Public Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors, the notification aims to ensure consistent, effective, and readily available legal counsel for the Central Government, ultimately contributing to the efficient administration of justice.

Key Entities Referenced