STATE OF U.P. vs U.P. GOVERNMENT COUNSEL (CRL.) WELFARE ASSOCIATION

The Supreme Court upheld the Uttar Pradesh Government Litigation (Engagement of Counsel) Ordinance, 1991, stating that the law officers appointed by the Government are not employees but provide professional services. The Court affirmed that the Government has the authority to regulate the engagement of counsel based on trust and confidence, and thus, the High Court's stay on the Ordinance was unjustified. The appeal was allowed, and the interim suspension of the Division Bench's order was made final without expressing any opinion on the merits of the Ordinance.