Omission of the crucial “not” in the first order was not viewed as accidental

However, a few hours earlier, a bench of Justices R.F. Nariman and Vineet Saran had directed the personal presence of Ambani in the contempt proceedings. Under the Contempt of Court Act, a person against whom proceedings have been initiated has to appear in person unless the court in its discretion chooses to dispense with the requirement.

On January 10, after Ericsson representatives pointed out the discrepancy, a revised order was uploaded. “Personal appearance of the alleged contemnor(s) is not dispensed with,” the revised order said.

Accordingly, Ambani, who is also battling the Rafale controversy, was present in the court on February 12 and on February 13 in connection with the contempt proceedings. He spent over two hours in the court on Tuesday and almost the whole day on Wednesday.

The omission of the crucial “not” in the first order was not viewed as accidental, sources said.

Justice Gogoi, who is also the administrative head of the Supreme Court, and Justice Nariman, who heads the two-judge bench, had taken serious note of the development, the sources added.

The initial order was uploaded without informing the two judges on the bench, the sources said. When lawyers representing Ericsson brought it to the notice of Justice Nariman, the revised order was uploaded.

The sources said the inquiry was being held “to get to the root of the entire issue” and identify all those responsible for the alleged tampering of the judicial order. Some lawyers are also under the scanner.

Ericsson India had entered into an agreement in 2014 to operate RCom’s telecom services for a fee.