Justice Swarana Sharma Reserves Order In Recusal Plea By Kejriwal: ‘Somebody Asked Recuse For First Time In My Life’

Delhi High Court reserves order on Arvind Kejriwal plea seeking recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from excise case, Kejriwal alleges bias, CBI defends judge

Arvind Kejriwal (File Photo)

The Delhi High Court on Monday reserved its order on a plea by Arvind Kejriwal seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing matters related to the excise policy case.

Kejriwal, who argued his plea in person, told the court he had a “reasonable apprehension” that he may not receive a fair hearing, citing earlier judicial observations and orders which, he claimed, indicated bias. He alleged that certain rulings appeared to favour investigating agencies.

“Learnt a lot about recusal jurisprudence. In my life for the first time somebody has asked me to recuse. But I learnt a lot about it. I hope I can give a good judgment,'” the court noted.

During the hearing, Kejriwal listed multiple grounds, including the pace of proceedings and prior remarks in related cases, arguing these created doubt in the minds of the accused. He also raised objections to orders passed on oral submissions and said principles of natural justice were compromised.

The former Delhi CM alleged bias saying the judge had attended Adhivakta Parishad event linked to BJP, RSS, the CBI, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the judge’s participation submitting even sitting Supreme Court and other High Court judges had attended the event organised by the “bar association” and there was nothing wrong with it.

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