Amicus Curiae in theory means a friend of the court. However, in reality he or she is someone who knows the mind of the court and makes submissions to suit what the court has pre-decided.
The court therefore appoints those lawyers who are part of the elite lobby of lawyers and judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts, the dynasties. The court will never appoint a lawyer who is independent, and may not support the pre-decided views of the judges. It is also a means to further the professional career of progenies of the elite lobby of lawyers and judges.
If you have any doubts, read today’s Hindustan Times. “SC questions 2-child norm rationale for contesting local polls”. In para 2 of the report, it says that the court has indicated that “it was willing to examine the larger rationale behind retaining such provisions” and has sought the assistance of Advocate Rukmini Bobde as an Amicus Curiae.
I am made to understand that Ms. Bobde is the daughter of S.A. Bobde, former CJI. The less said the better.