New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the Jharkhand government for appointing Anurag Gupta as the State's Director General of Police (DGP), saying political battles must be settled before the electorate.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria expressed displeasure over the use of contempt of court jurisdiction and public interest litigation petitions to settle political battles.

"In the Jharkhand case, we don't want contempt jurisdiction to be used to settle political scores. If you have a problem with a particular appointment, go to the Central Administrative Tribunal. But settle your political...