Related Article
- Gujarat Local Body Elections 2026: Voting Begins Across Municipal Corporations and Panchayats
- Major Blow to Arvind Kejriwal: Raghav Chadha Resigns from Aam Aadmi Party, Says Two-Thirds of MPs Will Merge with Bharatiya Janata Party
- Raghav Chadha Sparks Speculation Amid AAP Rift; Hints at New Political Move
- AAP Removes Raghav Chadha as RS Deputy Leader, Rift Speculation Grows
- Arvind Kejriwal Breaks Down After Court Discharges Him and Sisodia in Delhi Excise Policy Case
Arvind Kejriwal Boycotts Court After Recusal Plea Rejected by Delhi HC Judge
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday he would no longer participate, either personally or through legal counsel, in proceedings before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court in a pending case, citing a lack of faith in the fairness of the process.
In a letter to the judge, Kejriwal said the proceedings in the Delhi excise policy case did not "satisfy the fundamental principle that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done."
"My participation in these proceedings, either myself or through a counsel will not achieve anything meaningful," Kejriwal said.
Why did Kejriwal ask for Justice Sharma to recuse?
Kejriwal repeated allegations previously raised in an earlier recusal plea, referring to Justice Sharma's alleged public association with a group linked to the right-wing Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological parent.
He said he and his party are ideological opponents of the RSS, raising fears of bias.
The former Delhi chief minister also pointed to a perceived conflict of interest arising from the judge's family members serving on Indian government legal panels, while the central government and the CBI were opposing parties in his case.
He said the rejection of his earlier recusal request had deepened his concerns and left him unable to expect an impartial hearing.
"I must also state that the judgment rejecting recusal has itself become an additional and independent reason for my loss of confidence in the fairness of further proceedings before this Bench," Kejriwal said.
