Delhi LG Appoints SG Tushar Mehta & 5 Others As Special Prosecutors In 85 FIRs Related To Anti-CAA Protests, Delhi Riots

On the orders of Lieutenant-General of Delhi, Anil Bainjal, the Delhi Government has appointed six Special Public Prosecutors to conduct court proceedings arising out of 85 FIRs registered in relation to protests against Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 and the riots which occurred in North East Delhi in the last week of February.

They are :

1. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General.
2. Aman Lekhi, Additional Solicitor General.
3. Chetan Sharma, Addl. Solicitor General.
4. S V Raju,  Addl.Solicitor General.
5. Amit Mahajan, Advocate.
6. Rajat Nair, Advocate.

A notification in that regard was issued by the Home Department of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi on July 30.

The notification signed by L K Gautam, Deputy Secretary of Home Department of Delhi Government, states that the same is issued with the approval and by the order of Lieutenant General of Delhi.

The appointment of Special Prosecutors in cases related to Delhi riots has been a bone of contention between the Delhi Government and the Delhi-LG. The peculiar situation arose as the Delhi Police is reporting to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

In February, the appearance of Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, in Delhi High Court in a case seeking investigation into Delhi riots had created a controversy, after Rahul Mehra, Standing Counsel of Delhi Government, objected to it by saying that appointment of Prosecutors was the sole preserve of Delhi Government.  The objection was on the ground that LG can appoint Prosecutors only on the aid and advise of the Delhi Government.

Following that, on February 27, the Lieutenant General of Delhi passed an order appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to represent Delhi Police in the case filed by Harsh Mander.

On May 29, the Home Department of Delhi Government approved the appointment of Solicitor General, ASG Maninder Acharya, ASG Aman Lekhi, Standing Counsel (UOI) Amit Mahajan, and Advocate Rajat Nair, as Special Prosecutors in a case related to Delhi riots(Aqil Hussain vs State of NCT of Delhi).

Earlier this week, there were reports that the Delhi Government had rejected a panel of Special Prosecutors proposed by Delhi police.

Also Read : Understanding The 'Tug of War' As To Who Should Represent Delhi Police In Delhi Riots Cases