2G scam case: Tushar Mehta new special public prosecutor

The government on Saturday appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta as the Special Public Prosecutor for the 2G Spectrum Scam case despite the recent acquittal of most of the accused by a trial court last year. Mehta will be replacing Anand Grover who was appointed in September 2014 by the Supreme Court.

Mehta's appointment led to a controversy as lawyer Prashant Buhushan alleged that the new appointee was close to the ruling BJP dispensation.

Bhushan tweeted, "Govt brazenly changes SPL public prosecutor of 2G case appointed by Supreme Court and appoints Modi/Shah's main lawyer Tushar Mehta as prosecutor in gross violation of Supreme Court's order. Govt getting more brazen by the day."

This is not the first instance when prosecutors have been replaced by CBI. Initially Senior Prosecutor KK Goel had argued the case, but was replaced by AK Singh. Later, Singh was dropped as he was allegedly found advising one of the accused, paving way for Goel again. Later, UU Lalit was appointed who was later replaced by Grover.

A special trial court had acquitted all the accused in the 2G scam on December 21 last year, including charges against former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi.

The CBI had said it would appeal in the High Court against the acquittal.