LegalAppointment – Jharkhand Names New Advocate General Following Sudden Resignation
LegalAppointment – Senior advocate Rohitashya Roy has been appointed as the new Advocate General of Jharkhand after an unexpected change in the state’s top legal office.
The Jharkhand government on Sunday appointed senior High Court lawyer Rohitashya Roy as the state’s new Advocate General. The decision came shortly after Rajiv Ranjan stepped down from the position earlier in the day, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure. Chief Minister Hemant Soren accepted the resignation before the Law Department issued an official notification confirming Roy’s appointment.
Leadership Change Raises Questions
The circumstances surrounding Ranjan’s resignation have not been publicly disclosed. His departure has generated political discussion, particularly because no official explanation has been provided regarding the sudden change in one of the state’s most significant constitutional positions.
Ranjan had been serving as Advocate General since February 2020, following the formation of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led coalition government after the Assembly elections held in 2019. During his tenure, he represented the state government in several important constitutional, administrative and policy-related legal matters before various courts.
Tenure Under Public Scrutiny
Political observers have noted that although Ranjan continued to appear on behalf of the state in key cases after the most recent Assembly elections, a fresh government notification formally extending or renewing his appointment was never issued. This aspect has now become a subject of debate following his resignation.
The appointment of Rohitashya Roy marks a significant transition in Jharkhand’s legal administration. As Advocate General, Roy will serve as the state’s chief legal advisor and represent the government in major legal proceedings.
BJP Criticises Government Over Transition
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party strongly reacted to the development, accusing the state government of handling constitutional positions in a manner influenced by political considerations. BJP state spokesperson Ajay Sah described the change as evidence of instability within the ruling establishment.
According to Sah, appointments and departures from important constitutional offices should be guided by professional performance and institutional requirements rather than internal political calculations. He alleged that the latest development reflected broader concerns regarding decision-making within the government.
Demand for Greater Transparency
The BJP has also called for greater transparency regarding the functioning of the Advocate General’s office during Ranjan’s tenure. The party has urged the government to release detailed information covering the state’s legal record over the past several years.
Among its demands, the opposition has sought disclosure of the number of cases won and lost by the state, expenditure incurred on engaging external legal experts and consultants, and an assessment of the outcomes achieved through such spending.
Opposition Seeks Clarification
The party further questioned the reasons behind Ranjan’s exit. BJP leaders argued that if his performance met the government’s expectations, the rationale for seeking his resignation should be clarified. Conversely, they said that if concerns existed regarding his performance, the government should explain why he continued in the role for such a long period.
With no official statement yet explaining the circumstances of the resignation, the leadership change has become a major talking point in Jharkhand’s political and legal circles. Attention is now focused on how the government responds to the opposition’s demands and how the newly appointed Advocate General approaches his responsibilities in the months ahead.