Nariman appears in SC in Sibal case, SG stays away

NEW DELHI: Senior advocate Rohington Nariman, whose appointment as counsel in a case against Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal triggering Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium's resignation, on Monday appeared for the government in the Supreme Court.

Subramanium, whose resignation has not yet been accepted, preferred to keep himself away from the court proceedings.

There was also a notice in the cause list which said Subramanium informed the court about his decision not to appear in one of the matters listed before the Chief Justice's court.

Ending all speculation, Nariman, who was handpicked by Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal from the Government's panel of senior advocates, stood to counter the allegation of showing favours to Anil Ambani's Reliance Telecom (RCOM).

Nariman did not have to labour hard in defence of the minister as the bench was itself not inclined to entertain the affidavit filed by an NGO for which Prashant Bhushan appeared.

While Rohington had it easy in the Court, it was hard for him to enter the courtroom which was full of lawyers, clients and scribes.

"It was near impossible for me to enter the court," Rohington, who made to the front row after the bench began its proceedings, said.

"We are arguing the case but it is difficult for us to come inside the court," he said.