Delhi High Court rejected Arvind Kejriwal's plea to recuse Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from the excise policy case, citing lack of evidence for bias claims. Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia have now refused to appear before the judge, escalating the legal and political standoff. The court warned against forum shopping and undermining judicial independence.
Delhi High Court rejected Arvind Kejriwal's recusal plea against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in the excise policy case, with the judge strongly defending judicial independence. Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia subsequently announced they would not appear before the bench, claiming their hope of justice was shattered. The court held that allegations against the judge were based on conjectures rather than concrete evidence, and warned that allowing unsupported recusal requests would undermine public faith in the justice system.
Delhi High Court dismissed Arvind Kejriwal's plea to recuse Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from the excise policy case, deeming it based on conjecture. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused Kejriwal of pressuring the judiciary. Justice Sharma clarified her participation in professional events and family government counsel roles did not indicate bias, stating the plea put the judiciary on trial.
Delhi High Court dismissed petitions by AAP leaders including former CM Arvind Kejriwal seeking recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in the liquor policy case. The judge refused to step down, warning that allowing politicians to judge judicial competence based on 'personal perception' would set a 'disturbing precedent'. Justice Sharma termed the recusal demand an 'act of surrender' and emphasized that a judge cannot be 'intimidated by a litigant'. The court will now hear the matter on April 29.
