Delhi HC appoints amici for Kejriwal, Sisodia, Pathak

The Delhi High Court announced on Tuesday that it will appoint three senior advocates as amicus curiae to represent Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Durgesh Pathak in proceedings on the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against their discharge in the Delhi excise policy case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma made the decision after the three individuals boycotted the hearings, with the appointments scheduled for the next listing on Friday.

The boycott followed the court's rejection on April 20 of the accused's applications seeking Justice Sharma's recusal. Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Pathak had argued for recusal based on concerns over potential bias, citing the judge's attendance at an event organized by a lawyers' group and the professional engagements of her children as empanelled counsel for the central government. Justice Sharma dismissed these claims, stating that the allegations were conjectural and did not meet the legal threshold of reasonable apprehension of bias. She emphasized that recusal cannot be granted on mere perceptions or the possibility of an unfavorable outcome, as such demands could undermine judicial independence.

Kejriwal informed the court that he...