By TwoCircles.net news desk
New Delhi: Senior advocate Goolam E. Vahanvati, who has articulated the government’s views on sensitive cases like reservation in educational institutions and tainted ministers, has today been appointed as the Attorney General, the country’s top law officer.
60-year Mr. Vahanvati, who hails from Maharashtra, was the Solicitor General during the last United Progressive Alliance government assumed his office today.
Soon after assuming his office he appeared in the Supreme Court and received congratulations from a vacation Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and Aftab Alam for his elevation.
As Solicitor General since 2004, Mr. Vahanvati appeared in key cases relating to several constitutional and revenue matters but the high point was successful defense of the challenge to the controversial 27 per cent quota for OBCs in elite central educational institutions.
He also appeared for the central government in all matters pertaining to sealing of commercial premises in residential areas in the national capital and the challenges to the controversial legislations connected to it like Delhi Laws Special Provisions Act, 2007 and Master Plan 2021 for Delhi.
One of the most controversial matter in which Mr. Vahanvati defended the Centre was relating to dissolution of Bihar Assembly in 2005 on the recommendation of Governor Buta Singh, which the five-judge constitution bench held as illegal and unconstitutional.
Besides arguing the cases for the Centre and its various departments in the apex court and High Courts, Vahanvati was appointed by the International Cricket Council to hold an inquiry into allegations of racism in Zimbabwe with High Court Judge Steven Majiedt in September 2004.
He practiced law in Mumbai high court and was Advocate General of Maharashtra government before his appointment as Solicitor General of India.
He has been appointed to the post for a period of three years.