Article 76 and 88 of the Constitution confer on the Attorney general the right of audience in all Courts in India as well as the right to participate in the proceedings of the Parliament, though not the right to vote.

The attorney general also represent the Government of India in any reference made by the President to the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution.

Moreover, the Attorney General is restricted from representing an accused party in criminal proceedings and assuming a directorial role in a company without the explicit consent of the government.

Niren De during Indira Gandhi replied to a question by Hans Raj Khanna stating that even the right to life can be suspended during emergency.

[6] In 2009, Milon K. Banerjee's opinion absolving Ottavio Quattrocchi in the Bofors scandal has also been viewed as "devaluing and eroding the Attorney General's position".

[7][8] In late April 2013, in coal-gate scandal, Vahanvati was accused of misrepresenting facts in the top-most court of India.

[9] Again in the same case, Vahanvati's role came under scrutiny after allegations of impropriety and coercion emerged from his junior law officer, Harin P. Raval, who resigned from the post of Additional Solicitor General as a result.