JUDGMENT

DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR, CJ. - The present petition challenging inter alia appointment of respondent No.5 as Standing Counsel in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, came up before learned single Judge, whovide his order, dtd. 31/1/2024, observed that the petition was in the form of a Public Interest Litigation and accordingly directed the matter to be posted before an appropriate Bench of this Court. The petitioner appearing in person is an Advocate by profession.

The present petition has been preferred challenging the appointment of respondent No.5 as Standing Counsel for Municipalities and Municipal Corporations in Andhra region (excluding Nellore and Visakhapatnam) in the High Court. The appointment of respondent No.5 is stated to be contrary to provisions of Andhra Pradesh Law Officers Appointment and Conditions of Service Instructions, 2000, and guidelines of the Apex Court in the case of State of Punjab v. Brijeshwar Singh Chahal.2016) 6 SCC 1 It is stated that respondent No.5 is not a regular practitioner at the High Court of A.P. and has not regularly been representing cases in this Court. It is stated that he cannot argue cases and does not have a good track record of ex