Punjab Advocate General Atul Nanda resigns

Senior Advocate Atul Nanda has resigned as Advocate General of Punjab.

In a letter to his colleagues, Nanda said that his appointment as Advocate General was co-terminus with the tenure of former Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh who reigned from office yesterday.

"You are all by now aware that the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh has resigned yesterday. My appointment as Advocate General was co-terminus with his appointment and also as per constitutional convention I have tendered my resignation," the letter said.

Nanda, in his letter, expressed his thanks to all colleagues and junior lawyers "who toiled long late hours, weekends and holidays, often at personal cost for case preparation and so that our office could shine in Court."

Nanda's tenure as State's highest law officer was not without controversy.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court Association had passed a resolution in February 2021 removing Nanda from the association's membership, alleging that he "continuously worked against the physical opening of the court and acted against the interest of the Bar."

The resolution was later stayed by the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana.

[Read Full Letter]

My dearest TAG family,

You are all by now aware that the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh has resigned yesterday. My appointment as Advocate General was co-terminus with his appointment and also as per constitutional convention I have tendered my resignation.

I want to take this opportunity to express how proud I am of each one of you. My TAG family has probably been one of the best the AG office has had in recent times. The younger ones among you have been like my children and I have seen you grow, both as counsel as well as human beings. The senior law officers have always been my support and my strength in every which way.

My special thank you to Diya Sodhi, Malvika Singh, Amanat Chahal and Martand Singh in my camp office who toiled long late hours, weekends and holidays, often at personal cost for case preparation and so that our office could shine in Court. My Delhi team comprising of Karan Bharioke, Uttara Babbar, Anusha Nagrajan, Ranjeeta Rohatgi, Jaspreet Gogia and Zehra Khan have been my infallible pillars for Supreme Court and other matters.

Although I cannot list all the names here, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of your work, efforts, good wishes, support and strength. In case, I have fallen short of your expectations or I have faltered at any time, please forgive me.

I would also like to thank the members of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar,who though I was thought to be an outsider, welcomed me as a friend and made a member of their family and their lives.

This is no farewell message. I am always there for each and every one of you. I cannot and will not forget these years. They will be a precious part of me forever. Always.