Setback for Arvind Kejriwal; Delhi High Court judge refuses to recuse from liquor policy case

NEW DELHI: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court has refused to withdraw from hearing the liquor policy case. The court rejected Arvind Kejriwal’s argument that the judge might conduct the trial with bias. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma stated that the judiciary is characterised by its ability to deliver justice impartially, without succumbing to political pressure.

Arvind Kejriwal had informed the court that he did not expect justice if Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma continued to hear the case filed by the CBI. However, the judge dismissed Kejriwal’s petition while raising sharp criticisms. She noted that her children have no connection to the liquor policy case and clarified that justice cannot be deemed unattainable simply because a judge’s relatives might be part of the government.

The CBI had approached the High Court challenging a trial court order that cleared Kejriwal and others in the case. Kejriwal previously alleged that Justice Sharma’s participation in events organised by the BJP and RSS on four occasions raised concerns about potential bias. He also claimed that the High Court’s earlier observations portrayed him as "corrupt" and a "criminal," despite the trial court’s decision to acquit him.