The Delhi High Court deferred the CBI’s challenge to the trial court’s discharge order in the liquor policy case and set May 11 for the next hearing. It awaited consent from senior lawyers for the AAP leaders involved.
Today, On 23rd April, Delhi High Court has issued notice to Arvind Kejriwal over alleged illegal publication of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma’s court videos, ordering all intermediaries to remove them, stressing larger institutional interest before the July hearing as the court proceeds.
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.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma refused to step aside from the excise policy case, asserting her duty and rejecting allegations of bias. She warned that allowing such pleas without grounds would damage the credibility of the judiciary.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma stepped aside from hearing Naresh Balyan’s bail plea in a serious MCOCA case before the Delhi High Court. The matter will now be heard by another bench on April 23, keeping focus on the high-profile case.
Arvind Kejriwal sought to file a rejoinder in his recusal plea, alleging bias, but faced strong objections from SG Tushar Mehta over court procedure. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma allowed it as a written statement, calling it a special indulgence, and postponed the verdict to 4:30 PM.
A criminal contempt process has been initiated against AAP leaders and others over alleged scandalous remarks targeting a Delhi High Court judge. The petitioner has sought mandatory consent under law, after which the case will be formally filed before the court.
The Central Bureau of Investigation opposed Kejriwal’s recusal request, arguing his logic would disqualify judges from hearing any government-related cases. The agency told the Delhi High Court that such claims are legally unsustainable and could disrupt the judicial system.
The Delhi High Court accepted Kejriwal’s new affidavit seeking Justice Sharma’s recusal but made it clear the case will not be reheard. The Court said the matter remains reserved, even as fresh conflict of interest claims were placed on record.
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.
