 (6).png)
8 hours ago
1
ARTICLE AD BOX
Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma recused herself from the excise policy case amid allegations of bias and conflict of interest from AAP. Contempt proceedings were initiated against Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders for derogatory remarks about her on social media.
Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. (X)(HT_PRINT)Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Thursday initiated contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal and several other Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, Vinay Mishra, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, over alleged defamatory and derogatory remarks made against her on social media in relation to the excise policy case, according to a report by Bar and Bench.
Following the initiation of contempt proceedings, Justice Sharma also recused herself from hearing the excise policy matter, noting that Kejriwal and Sisodia are among the accused in the case.
People also ask
AI powered insights from this story
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma recused herself from hearing the excise policy case after initiating contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders. She stated that her continued involvement might lead to perceptions of a grudge.
Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders are accused of making defamatory and derogatory remarks against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on social media in relation to the excise policy case, leading to contempt proceedings.
Rajkumar Bhati, a Samajwadi Party spokesperson, faces legal trouble and outrage over alleged derogatory remarks made against the Brahmin community in a viral video.
Questions have been raised on social media and by the Bar Council of India (BCI) regarding Mamata Banerjee's eligibility to practice law, specifically her bar council membership and practice history, after she appeared in court.
Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court wearing a lawyer's gown to argue a case related to alleged post-poll violence and attacks on Trinamool Congress offices and workers in West Bengal.
"It could be that if I keep hearing this case, Arvind Kejriwal and other people might think that I have a grudge against him. That's why I've thought that this particular case will be heard by some other bench," the judge ordered, as reported by Bar and Bench.
AAP has alleged Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma's ties with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and said that a conflict of interest arises as both of her children work for the central government.
Ealier in April, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, questioned Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma for not recusing from hearing the Delhi Excise Policy case.
"After recusing in multiple recent cases, why has Justice Swarnakanta Sharma chosen not to recuse in this one? What is different about this case?" Atishi posted on X.
The controversy began after Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Durgesh Pathak chose to boycott court proceedings when Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma refused to recuse herself over allegations of bias.
In February, a trial court acquitted all 23 accused in the excise policy case, including Kejriwal, Sisodia, and K. Kavitha, while also criticizing the Central Bureau of Investigation for its handling of the investigation. The CBI later challenged the ruling before Justice Sharma, who remarked in March that the trial court’s observations appeared questionable.
The case has remained politically sensitive since Kejriwal’s arrest during the 2024 general elections. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court of India after spending 156 days in custody, while Sisodia remained jailed for 530 days. The Delhi excise policy, introduced in 2021 to reform the liquor trade, was eventually withdrawn after corruption allegations prompted a CBI investigation ordered by the Lieutenant Governor.
(This is a breaking news; check back later for updates)
About the Author
Mausam Jha
Mausam Jha is a journalist who focuses on world affairs and politics. She provides clear, informative reporting with a good understanding of both global events and their local impact. <br><br> Her clear, accessible reporting on political and international issues makes her a trusted source of news and analysis. <br><br> For the past three years, Mausam has worked with Mint, covering national politics, IR—including elections—and global affairs.<br> Before joining her current role, she gained experience working with The Statesman, ANI, and Financial Express, where she honed her skills in political and international news. <br><br> She has consistently tracked key electoral battles, including US elections, Japan elections, policy debates, and strategic affairs, explaining how global currents, from great power competition to regional conflicts <br><br> Beyond journalism, Mausam has a deep engagement with international relations, diplomacy, war studies, terrorism, political history, and political theory. She is particularly interested in the intersection of statecraft and society on how governance, ideology, and institutions shape lived realities, and how politics shape today's world order. <br><br> An avid reader of classical literature and political thought, she constantly explores the connections between historical ideas and contemporary policy challenges.
English (US) ·