In A First, A Sitting District Judge Appointed As The Union Law Secretary

District & Sessions Judge, Anoop Kumar Mendiratta has become the first sitting judge to be appointed as the Union Law Secretary.

His appointment was notified yesterday by the Central govt. pursuant to the decision of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

"The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, presently District and Sessions Judge… to the post of Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, on contract basis, as per usual terms and conditions…" the order states.

The central govt. had called for applications for the post in April, after the position was vacated in December last year. Mendiratta will replace Justice Alok Shrivastava, who had been handling the additional charge of Law Secretary after resignation of Sh. Suresh Chandra. The govt. advertisement had prescribed that sitting or retired district judges could apply for the post.

Presently, Mendiratta is a District & Sessions Judge in the North East District of Delhi's Karkardooma Court. He came into the limelight for having cleared the sanction to prosecute JNU students in an alleged sedition case in January this year. Formerly, he served as the Principal Secretary (Law) for the Delhi government, before being appointed as the Principal Judge of the Family Courts at Saket District Court.

Mendiratta's appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge of the office and his tenure will extend up to March 30, 2023, or until he attains the age of 60, whichever is earlier.

A Union Law Secretary oversees cases on behalf of the Centre and is responsible to engage counsels to appear for Union of India. He is also responsible to advice Ministries, Attorney General, the Solicitor General of India, and other Central government law officers.