Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing the excise policy case, citing concerns of bias. The case revolves around alleged irregularities in Delhi’s now-scrapped liquor policy. Kejriwal and other accused had earlier been discharged by a trial court.
Kejriwal appeared in person during the hearing and requested permission to argue his plea himself, asserting he is ready to present his case. The court took the petition on record and issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has challenged the trial court’s decision to discharge him and others.
The CBI opposed the recusal request, calling the grounds serious and disputing Kejriwal’s claims. The matter is now listed for further hearing on April 13.
Earlier, Kejriwal had approached the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, seeking the transfer of the case to a different bench. That request was rejected, with the court stating the allocation followed standard procedures.
The excise policy case has been one of the most high-profile legal and political matters in recent years, involving allegations of corruption in the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s liquor policy. While the trial court had discharged Kejriwal and others, the CBI’s appeal has kept the matter alive in the High Court.
The recusal petition adds a new dimension to the case, as the High Court must decide whether Justice Sharma should continue hearing the matter before moving to the substantive arguments on the CBI’s challenge.
With the hearing scheduled for next week, legal observers expect that the court’s decision on the recusal plea will determine the pace and direction of proceedings. The case continues to attract significant public and political attention, given its implications for governance and accountability in the state.
