Solicitor General of India Ranjit Kumar on Friday tendered his resignation from the post citing personal reasons. The second-highest ranking law officer for the Central government put in his papers months after the Centre extended his term on June 6 earlier this year till further orders.
Kumar, who joined the panel of law officers at the Supreme Court three years ago, cited personal reasons and family commitments for his decision to step down from his post.
Though government sources confirmed having received the resignation letter, a final call on it will be taken after Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad returns to the country on October 22.
Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is handling several politically sensitive cases in the top court, is said to be the front-runner to succeed Kumar.
Kumar's decision to resign comes months after former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi resigned to return to private practice in June.
Sources say that Kumar was one of the few candidates who was considered for elevation as a judge of the Supreme Court sometime back by the SC collegium.
During his tenure as a Solicitor General, Kumar has represented the Centre in several sensitive and high profile cases like the pellet gun issue in Jammu and Kashmir, the Cauvery water dispute, the environmental matter pertaining to the ban of diesel cars among others.
Considered an expert in Constitutional laws, service matters, and taxation, Kumar was previously a counsel for Gujarat and was also appointed as an amicus curiae in several cases in the Supreme Court. In one of his most sensational case, Kumar also represented Gujarat in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.
As for ASG Tushar Mehta, It must be noted that Mehta was granted permission by the Law Ministry to represent Jay Shah, BJP president Amit Shah's son, in a defamation case against a news portal which alleged a meteoric rise in Jay's assets.
FINAL CALL
- A final call will be taken after Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad returns to the country.
- Kumar has cited personal reasons behind the move.
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