New Delhi: Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Monday refused to withdraw from the liquor policy case, rejecting Arvind Kejriwal’s allegations of bias and fairness in hearing the matter.
The AAP national convenor had sought recusal of Justice Sharma from hearing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) petition in the Delhi liquor policy case, reasoning there was a “grave, bona fide and reasonable apprehension” that proceedings before her may not be impartial or neutral.
Justice Sharma issued a strong order rejecting recusal pleas filed by Kejriwal and others in the liquor policy case.
Justice Sharma said judges don’t bow to political pressure, highlighting the judiciary’s importance of maintaining impartiality.
“The floodgates can’t be opened to sow seeds of mistrust,” said Justice Sharma, pointing out that Kejriwal could not point to any political statement which could indicate ideological bias.
“There is a presumption of impartiality of a judge and a presumption of impartiality has to be rebutted by the litigant seeking recusal of a judge,” she observed.
“The litigant has put the judiciary on trial. I choose the path to resolve the controversy. The strength of the judiciary lies in its strong resolve to decide the acquisitions. I have written the order without being affected by anything,” she said.
Kejriwal had sought recusal of Justice Sharma from hearing the CBI petition in the Delhi liquor policy case, saying there was a “grave, bona fide and reasonable apprehension” that the proceedings before her may not be impartial or neutral.
