Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has filed an application in the Delhi High Court seeking the recusal of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma from hearing the CBI's appeal against his discharge in the alleged liquor policy scam case.
Kejriwal, who plans to argue the recusal plea personally in court, cited a "reasonable apprehension of bias" due to the judge's prior observations on March 9, 2026, where she described the trial court's discharge order as prima facie erroneous. This follows an earlier letter to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice requesting a transfer, which was declined by the registry, and a subsequent Supreme Court petition under Article 32. The AAP chief highlighted Justice Sharma's past refusals of bail to other accused in the case, later overturned by higher courts, as fueling concerns over impartiality.
The underlying case stems from the now-scrapped 2021-22 Delhi Excise Policy, accused by CBI and ED of irregularities favoring private liquor vendors through bribes and kickbacks. A trial court discharged Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and others citing insufficient evidence, prompting CBI's revision plea now before Justice Sharma. Meanwhile, in a related ED money laundering case, the High Court extended deadlines for responses from Kejriwal and Sisodia until April 22, 2026.
This recusal bid adds another layer to the protracted legal battle, which has seen Kejriwal arrested and released multiple times since 2024. Critics from AAP argue the CBI's selective targeting undermines fair process, while agencies maintain the policy enabled a ₹1,000 crore-plus scam. The High Court hearing on the CBI appeal and recusal application was scheduled for April 6, 2026, drawing intense political scrutiny amid Delhi's assembly election buildup.
Security and political implications remain high, echoing past tensions like the recent Delhi Assembly breach. Kejriwal's in-person appearance underscores his hands-on legal strategy, similar to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's past self-advocacy. The outcome could influence trial proceedings and public perceptions of judicial neutrality in high-profile corruption probes.
As investigations continue, authorities emphasize procedural adherence, with no further comments from the bench pending the hearing. This episode highlights ongoing challenges in India's judicial handling of politically charged cases, balancing speed and fairness.