MADURAI: The Madras High Court has come to the rescue of a former government pleader, who was not paid retainer and legal fee amounting to Rs.20 lakh for representing government officials before courts in Tuticorin district between 2001 and 2006.
Allowing a writ petition filed by him, Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar said: “It is unfortunate that a government pleader, who defended the respondents, has been forced to come to the court for payment of his fees. It shows the attitude of the respondents in treating a government pleader who defended their actions before the court.”
The Judge directed the officials concerned to calculate the fee due to the petitioner and pay it within four weeks along with bank interest.
“Having appointed the petitioner to defend the cases, there is no justification on the part of the respondents to deny the fees payable to him.”
The petitioner, J.J. Thiagaraj Natarjee, said he was appointed government pleader on July 7, 2001 on a monthly retainer of Rs.1,000 besides legal fee for each case argued by him.
He appeared for the government officials in various cases before the court as well as the consumer forum and raised bills. However, they were not paid even after his term was over.
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