Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma refused to step aside, calling the recusal plea a strategic move by Arvind Kejriwal to create a “win-win” situation. The court said recusal must be based on law, not narratives, and rejecting it protects judicial independence.
Kejriwal told the Delhi High Court that Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has consistently ruled in favour of ED and CBI, raising serious doubts about a fair hearing. He argued that even a “reasonable apprehension of bias” is enough for recusal, citing past judgments and recent court orders.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has urged the CJI to take suo motu contempt action against Delhi CM Rekha Gupta over her alleged “set judge” remark. He claimed the statement attempts to defame the judiciary and weaken public trust in the courts.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal withdrew his petition in the Delhi High Court challenging ED summons in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. The Court dismissed the plea as withdrawn while keeping all constitutional and legal issues open for future hearing.
The Rouse Avenue Court has directed Delhi Police to expedite the probe into a 2019 public property defacement case involving AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. The police sought more time, stating Kejriwal is currently not in Delhi.
A Delhi court dismissed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s plea to bar AAP leader Somnath Bharti from representing his wife, Lipika Mitra, in a defamation case. The court stated that “husband and wife are two separate individuals” with distinct legal interests.
AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj accused BJP of weakening institutions after the Supreme Court’s reported “crook” remark on the ED. He warned that without strict action, court observations will remain meaningless.
The Supreme Court has paused the NGT’s Rs 50.44 crore penalty on the Delhi Jal Board and MCD for allegedly failing to control Yamuna pollution. Notices have been issued to both bodies as the case proceeds.
A Delhi court dismissed Satyendar Jain’s defamation plea against BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, saying her remarks echoed ED’s official tweet. The court warned ED against spreading misleading or sensational content.
Lipika Mitra missed a Delhi court hearing in her defamation case against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The judge imposed a Rs 5,000 fine and gave a final chance to respond by August 2.
