When Mahendra Narayan Singh, a senior advocate with two decades of courtroom experience, was named Additional Advocate General for the Allahabad High Court on June 3, 2025, the move signaled a fresh push by the Uttar Pradesh Government to beef up its legal firepower. The appointment, approved by Governor Anandiben Patel and communicated by Special Secretary Lokesh Nagar, adds Singh to a roster of twelve new advocates designated to represent the state at both the main Allahabad bench and its Lucknow off‑shoot.
Why the State is Overhauling Its Legal Team
Uttar Pradesh, home to over 240 million people, routinely finds itself in the headlines of high‑stakes litigation – from land disputes and environmental clear‑ups to intricate contract challenges involving central ministries. A 2023 audit by the State Legal Services Authority noted that the existing bench of state law officers was stretched thin, with case backlogs growing by an average of 12% per year. To curb that trend, the government announced a "legal strengthening initiative" earlier this year, aiming to place seasoned litigators in key advocacy slots.
Historically, the role of Additional Advocate General (AAG) is to act as the deputy to the Advocate General, stepping in for high‑profile matters and ensuring continuity of representation across the court’s two primary locations. By the end of 2024, the state had seven AAGs for the Allahabad bench and five for the Lucknow Bench, but many were junior counsel, limiting the government's ability to argue complex points of law that often determine the outcome of multi‑crore rupee cases.
Details of the June 3 Appointments
The official order, dated June 3, 2025, listed the twelve newly appointed advocates. For the Allahabad High Court, the seven AAGs are:
- Durga Vijay Singh
- Senior Advocate Anil Saxena
- Senior Advocate Anup Trivedi
- Mahendra Narayan Singh (new AAG)
- Rahul Agarwal
- Sanjeev Singh
- Kartikey Saran
The Lucknow Bench received five fresh faces:
- Anuj Kudesia
- Sudip Seth
- Chitranjan Seth
- Ms. Jyotsna Pal
- Surya Mani
According to Bar and Bench’s reporting, the list includes two senior advocates and just one woman – Ms. Pal – highlighting both the experience and the lingering gender gap in the upper echelons of the state’s legal corps.
Reactions from the Legal Community
Veteran lawyer Rohit Kumar, who has appeared before the Allahabad High Court for over 30 years, called the appointments “a pragmatic response to the mounting caseload.” He added, “Having advocates like Singh, who have litigated on land acquisition and public‑policy matters, will likely improve the state’s win‑rate in matters that affect millions.”
Conversely, the Indian Bar Association’s Uttar Pradesh chapter expressed concern over the limited representation of women. In a brief statement, the chapter urged the government to “prioritize gender diversity in future selections, ensuring that women’s perspectives are fully integrated into state litigation strategies.”
Implications for Ongoing and Future Cases
Several high‑profile disputes are already pending before the Allahabad High Court, including the multi‑state water‑sharing lawsuit involving the Ganges basin, a Rs 2.3 billion contract arbitration concerning a metro‑rail extension, and a series of environmental petitions targeting coal‑based power projects in the Bundelkhand region. Analysts say that the infusion of senior counsel could shift the tactical landscape, especially in cases where nuanced constitutional arguments are required.
For the Lucknow Bench, the appointments are timed with the upcoming hearing of the controversial land‑acquisition case for the upcoming Noida‑Greater Noida industrial corridor. The bench’s docket also includes a slew of public‑interest litigations related to the COVID‑19 pandemic relief funds, where precise statutory interpretation often decides whether the state can retain or must return unspent allocations.
What Comes Next?
The order has been forwarded to the Accountant General of Uttar Pradesh, the Registrar General of the Allahabad High Court, and the Senior Registrar of the Lucknow Bench for formal induction. Within the next two weeks, the newly appointed AAGs are expected to take oaths, receive their official seals, and begin drafting briefs for the pending matters listed above.
Looking ahead, the government has hinted at a second wave of appointments targeting specialized roles such as “Cyber‑Law AAG” and “Environmental Law AAG” later in the year, reflecting the growing complexity of legal challenges faced by the state.
Key Facts
- Date of appointment: June 3, 2025
- Number of new AAGs: 12 (7 for Allahabad, 5 for Lucknow)
- Key appointing authority: Governor Anandiben Patel
- Special Secretary who issued the order: Lokesh Nagar
- Primary purpose: Strengthen state representation in high‑court litigation
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Uttar Pradesh Government feel the need to add so many AAGs now?
A 2023 internal review showed a 12% yearly rise in case backlogs for the state’s high‑court matters. Adding senior advocates helps distribute workload, improves legal strategy, and aims to reduce pending case durations.
Who are the most senior advocates among the new appointees?
Senior Advocate Anil Saxena and Senior Advocate Anup Trivedi are the two senior counsel named in the June 3 order, bringing over 25 years of litigation experience each.
How might these appointments affect the ongoing Ganges water‑sharing dispute?
With senior lawyers like Mahendra Narayan Singh joining the team, the state can craft more robust constitutional arguments, potentially influencing the court’s interpretation of inter‑state water‑allocation statutes.
What does the inclusion of only one woman advocate suggest about gender representation?
The lone female appointee, Ms. Jyotsna Pal, highlights the existing gender gap in senior legal positions. Advocacy groups have called for more balanced nominations in future rounds to reflect broader societal diversity.
When can the public expect to see the new AAGs in action?
The order requires the advocates to take oath within two weeks of the notification. They are slated to file briefs for pending cases by mid‑June, meaning courtroom appearances could start as early as the last week of June 2025.