Kejriwal Seeks Judge Recusal in Excise Policy Case

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appeared in person before the Delhi High Court on April 6, 2026, to seek the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing a Central Bureau of Investigation petition challenging his discharge and that of 22 others in the alleged excise policy case.

Kejriwal, representing himself for the application, informed the court that he intended to argue the matter personally, citing procedural limitations that prevented electronic filing by a litigant in person. He expressed a grave and reasonable apprehension of bias, pointing to Justice Sharma's earlier observations that described a trial court's discharge order as prima facie erroneous. The court accepted the hard copies of his application, issued notice to the CBI, and scheduled the hearing for April 13. Justice Sharma also directed that any other accused wishing to file similar recusal applications do so immediately to avoid piecemeal proceedings.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, opposed the plea, describing the allegations as frivolous, vexatious, and contemptuous. He noted that seven of the 23 discharged accused had already filed such applications and warned...