Published Jul 09, 2026 | 12:47 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 09, 2026 | 12:47 PM
MR Ramesh Babu.
Synopsis: The Kerala government’s appointment of the Senior Standing Counsel to represent the state in the Supreme Court triggered controversy, with senior lawyers arguing that the appointment violates existing rules. The state is appointed senior advocate MR Ramesh Babu to the position.
The Kerala government’s appointment of the Senior Standing Counsel on Wednesday, 8 July, to represent the state in the Supreme Court triggered controversy, with senior lawyers arguing that the appointment violates existing rules.
For the first time, the Kerala government created the post of Senior Standing Counsel in the Supreme Court, appointing senior advocate MR Ramesh Babu to the position.
Speaking to South First, a senior Supreme Court lawyer said, “There is no post of Senior Standing Counsel under the existing rules, and the rules have not been amended. Therefore, creating such a post is a blatant violation of the Government Rules.”
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In an order dated 8 July, the state government appointed Babu as Senior Standing Counsel for a period of three years with effect from the date of assumption of charge.
The State Cabinet had also appointed four Standing Counsel to represent Kerala before the apex court. The appointees are advocates PS Zulfikar Ali, Aljo K Joseph, Marzook Thangal and James P Thomas.
They have been appointed for three years with effect from the date of assumption of charge or till the attainment of 65 years of age, whichever comes earlier.
Earlier, the government had appointed Senior Advocate K Jaju Babu as the Advocate General of Kerala and T Asaf Ali as the Director General of Prosecution and State Public Prosecutor.
As Senior Standing Counsel, Ramesh Babu will coordinate major cases involving the state government and represent Kerala in important matters, including inter-state disputes before the Supreme Court.
He is currently the counsel for the Reserve Bank of India. He had previously served as Kerala’s Standing Counsel in the Supreme Court during 2001–2006 and again from 2011–2016.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
