The Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against the central government appointing Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta as public prosecutor in the 2G spectrum case. The petition calls the appointment a contempt of the court’s earlier order in which appointed Anand Grover as special public prosecutor.

“The Respondent has no authority to supersede the decision of this Hon’ble Court and the said act is nothing but a gross contempt of orders passed by this Hon’ble Court,” says the petition. It adds: “This conspicuous act very evidently depicts the mala fide intentions of the Respondent.”

On February 8, the government had issued a notification replacing Grover with Mehta, who will be now responsible for appeals or proceedings related to the 2G spectrum cases investigated by the CBI in the court of Special Judge (2G cases).

The public in the case will argue for the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in the 2G spectrum case.

According to the website Livelaw.in, the apex court had first appointed UU Lalit as special prosecutor in the 2G case. Later, he was appointed as a Supreme Court judge and senior advocate Grover was appointed as the prosecutor.