R. S. Pathak, C. J. :- By this miscellaneous petition the respondent, Shri Narotam Datt Shastri, contends that the Advocate General of this State has acted without authority in the present criminal contempt petition by examining the petitioners witnesses and cross-examining the respondents witnesses, and he claims that therefore the said proceedings should be struck off the record.

2. On September 26, 1973, Shri Hari Krishan filed the present criminal contempt petition against the respondent alleging that in a speech delivered by the latter on August 8, 1973 at Bilaspur the respondent made certain derogatory observations in respect of a learned Judge of this Court and that, therefore, he should be punished for committing criminal contempt of this court. By an endorsement of the same date made on the petition, it is apparent that the Advocate General accorded his consent to the institution of the petition. It may be mentioned that while the petition is signed by Shri Hari Krishan, it has been described as having been made through the Advocate General. On the next day, the Advocate General filed a memorandum of appearance which recites that he has been engaged by Shri Hari Kr