New Delhi, July 18 - Industrialist Anil Ambani's energy firm, locked in a legal battle with elder brother Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries over supply of gas, has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the government's affidavit on the issue.

The petroleum ministry previously withdrew all its affidavits when the matter was being heard in the Bombay High Court and hence it has no right to do so in the apex court, said Anil Ambani's Reliance Natural Resources in a fresh affidavit.

In reply to the law suit filed by Reliance Industries challenging the Bombay High Court order, the Anil Ambani-led firm had already said the government has no role to play in the private gas sharing dispute, and certainly not as a party to the row.

'The petroleum ministry avoided cross-examination of its deponents. Therefore, the filing of the affidavit in Supreme Court is a gross abuse of process,' said a senior official in the company, explaining the contents of the company's latest affidavit.

'Several of the statements made in the government's affidavit before the Supreme Court have been made for the first time and this is not permitted. Also an intervener has no right to file pleadings in the court,' the official added.

'The petroleum ministry has also filed the affidavit blatantly and openly in support of Reliance Industries. This affidavit should therefore be struck off the records of the Supreme Court.