Kejriwal Urges Judge Recusal in Excise Policy Case

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on April 13 urged Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court to recuse herself from hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation's challenge to his discharge in the Delhi excise policy case, citing a reasonable apprehension of bias.

Kejriwal, appearing in person before the court, argued that the judge's prior orders in related proceedings had effectively prejudged his guilt. He pointed to rulings that denied him relief from arrest, rejected bail applications for co-accused including Manish Sisodia, and made strong observations against the accused after limited hearings. "I was almost declared guilty. I was almost declared corrupt. Only the sentence was left to be pronounced," Kejriwal told the court, according to proceedings recorded that day.

The case stems from allegations of irregularities in the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy, which central agencies claim favored certain liquor wholesalers through increased commissions and kickbacks. On February 27, a trial court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia, and 21 others, ruling that the CBI's case lacked evidence of conspiracy or criminal intent and criticizing the agency for filing...