Law dept’s two top officials repatriated to parent cadre

Sources added that as one of the senior-most members of the Delhi Higher Judiciary, Sethi — once repatriated — is likely to be appointed as a District and Sessions Judge.

Two top officials of the law department were repatriated to their parent cadre last week, according to sources. The move has left the department with no law officers as the principal secretary and additional secretary are appointed from the Delhi Judiciary on deputation.

Sources said Principal Secretary (Law) Brijesh Sethi, who had remained on leave for over four months, had “asked for repatriation” back to the Delhi Judiciary though his tenure had not ended. At present, the law department has two deputy secretaries working with two consultants. Orders for the repatriation of Additional Law Secretary Vikrant Vaid reportedly came on May 27 as his tenure on deputation had ended.

Sources added that as one of the senior-most members of the Delhi Higher Judiciary, Sethi — once repatriated — is likely to be appointed as a District and Sessions Judge.

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Sources said the Delhi High Court has recommended the name of Sessions court Judge Girish Kathpalia to replace Sethi, but the Delhi government has reportedly asked for a “panel” of recommended persons who may then be interviewed and posted on deputation. According to senior lawyers, the procedure has not been followed for the past several years. The single recommendation sent by the high court was accepted by the government, they said.

Sethi’s predecessor, R Kiran Nath, too was “transferred” after an altercation with the government last year. Nath had said approval from the Lieutenant Governor on a file regarding circle rates was needed, which was not accepted by the government. The disagreement between the law secretary and the government escalated when she refused to suspend an assistant legal advisor.

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