Congress MLA Advocate Chandy Oommen has been included in the latest list of empanelled advocates for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which operates under the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The list, issued on September 7 by SK Mallik, General Manager of NHAI’s Kerala Regional Office, outlines the responsibilities of the advocates in matters like land acquisition, arbitration, and court proceedings.
Oommen’s inclusion has sparked controversy, given his political background as a Congress MLA and his family legacy—his father, the late Oommen Chandy, was a former Chief Minister of Kerala. Despite the political implications, Oommen clarified that his initial empanelment occurred in 2022, well before his election as an MLA from the Puthuppally constituency in September 2023. He emphasized that the current list is merely a renewal of the previous one, not a fresh appointment.
“Two years ago, in 2022, I applied for the NHAI empanelment when applications were invited, and I was selected before I became an MLA. This is simply a renewed list, not a new appointment,” Oommen explained to Bar & Bench.
He also noted that he has not handled any cases for NHAI in the past seven months. When asked about his plans to remain on the panel or resign, Oommen said that the project director informed him that the list would be canceled. He defended his position, asserting that his application was made in a professional capacity before his political career and that other advocates affiliated with various political parties, including CPI(M) leaders and current government pleaders, were also on the list.
“It’s a professional matter. If they are canceling the list, that’s their decision. It shows that I have done nothing wrong, unethical, or immoral,” Oommen stated.
He reaffirmed that his political stance remains unchanged, regardless of whether NHAI keeps him on the panel or not. Although the Union Government has not yet made an official statement regarding the cancellation, Oommen maintains that his appointment was based on professional merit, without any political influence.
