Madurai: Questions have been raised over whether the practice of “recommendation-based” appointments in Tamil Nadu’s criminal cases department will be brought to an end. The department’s lawyers, who provide legal advice in government-related cases, should be appointed only through the state public service commission, critics say.
For years, posts such as Government Assistant Public Prosecutor, Assistant Criminal Prosecutor, Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Additional Director and Director were filled through commission-led selection, with promotions largely following seniority. This system, the report notes, continued up to the AIADMK period.
However, during the previous DMK government, the established process was said to have been discontinued. The report alleges that the Director post was filled without following promotion norms, and that subsequent changes under the banner of “administrative reforms” led to non-transparent appointments and the sidelining of eligible candidates.
The report also cites complaints that transfers and “in-charge” postings were allegedly linked to large sums of money, and that petitions to the government did not result in action. Additionally, controversy has been reported over certain government lawyers being placed in Deputy Director charge in violation of rules.
The report urges the current government to examine the issue and allow a return to the earlier procedure, arguing that recruitment through the public service commission would reduce irregularities and strengthen trust in the department among the police, courts and the public.
