Senior Advocate R Venkataramani Appointed Attorney General For India

Senior Advocate R. Venkataramani has been appointed as the new Attorney General of India for a period of 3 years. He will succeed K.K. Venugopal w.e.f from 1st October 2022. Earlier, ex-Attorney General for India Mukul Rohtagi was approached, but he declined the offer for personal reasons.

The office of Kiren Rijiju confirmed Venkataramani's appointment in a tweet.

Who is Senior Advocate R. Venkataramani

A noted indirect tax law practioner, Venkatramani has represented state and union governments in high-stakes litigation matters before the Supreme Court and the High Court. Recalling his experience of working with Venkatramani on the Amrapali home buyers case, advocate Vivek Narayan Sharma called him a solution-oriented senior lawyer with an eye for detail. Sharma in particular praised Venkatramani for the number of hours the latter invested in the highly complicated case for the welfare of the homebuyer. 

Designated as a Senior Advocate in 1997, Venkataramani has also been involved in constitutional cases, the most recent one being the hijab case before the Supreme Court. Presenting his arguments in favour of banning the hijab, Venkataramani was quoted by Livelaw as saying, "For public order, morality and health to come in, the state need not inquire into your religious practice. Article 25 is clearly subject to morality, health and public order."

His sharp argument was in response to the debate on the freedom to practice one's religion and the corresponding sphere of morality in such matters.

Venkataramani has made a 360-degree contribution to the legal profession

R. Venkataramani has been appointed as amicus curie in numerous matters of high importance. With over four decades of distinguished experience, the veteran lawyer has served as a member of the law Commission of India on two occasions. From teaching candidates for AOR exams to voraciously writing in the legal domain, R.Venkataramani has made a 360-degree impact on the Indian legal ecosystem. 

Hailing him for his contribution to the legal profession, Sharma calls R. Venkataramani an asset to the Bar and Bench. 

"He is a man of abundant knowledge, sophistication and detail", adds Sharma.

Looking at his track record and prior experience in handling matters for the government in different capacities, Venkataramani's appointment as the next Attorney General for India comes as little surprise.