Patna, April 4: The state government today tendered an unqualified apology in Patna High Court for appointing law officers without consulting it.

The high court had on November 17 ordered the state government to consult it before appointing law officers on a petition filed by high court advocate Dinesh Kumar. But the government appointed five law officers on December 6 without consulting the high court. Dinesh then filed a contempt plea, to be heard on April 10.

Today's showcause by the state chief secretary and law secretary said though hearing of the aforesaid matter concluded on November 17, the order was not dictated in the open court. It was uploaded on the website on November 23, but the state got to know of it when the office of the advocate general wrote to it on December 8. The state government said the chief secretary was never a member of the screening committee for law officers and the law secretary joined on January 16, while the five law officers were selected and appointed on December 2, 2016.

"...The chief secretary and law secretary... have not disobeyed the... high court. However, if... it is held that there has been disobedience,... they tender an unconditional apology," the government said in its show-cause.

Doctor vacancy report

The high court today asked the state government to file a comprehensive status report within four weeks on vacant posts of doctors, including specialists, in government hospitals.