Kejriwal seeks Delhi HC judge's recusal over potential bias

Arvind Kejriwal has filed an additional affidavit before the Delhi High Court, reiterating his request for Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma to recuse from hearing the CBI’s appeal against his discharge in the excise policy case, contending that bias is direct and serious because the judge’s children are empanelled with the Centre and are allocated matters by the Solicitor General, who is contesting the appeal on behalf of the agency. In the affidavit filed on Tuesday, Kejriwal notes that the judge’s son is empanelled as a Group A counsel representing the Centre before the Supreme Court, while her daughter is empanelled as a Group C counsel representing the Centre before the Delhi High Court and also serves as a pleader for the Centre before the Delhi High Court. He asserts both are assigned matters by the SG, who opposes the recusal plea and represents the CBI in the case. He further stated that the apprehension of bias arising from this situation is direct, serious, and cannot be overlooked, as the same law officer and legal establishment representing the CBI before the judge is also part of the institutional framework responsible for allocating government work and case assignments to her children. Justice Sharma’s bench had previously stayed the trial court’s direction for departmental action against a CBI officer, and the matter has drawn renewed attention as the recusal application is under consideration after the bench reserved its verdict. The move has sparked political reactions, with opponents arguing it could undermine due process, while supporters say it highlights the need for impartial judicial proceedings in high-profile corruption cases.

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