Kejriwal Alleges ‘Conflict of Interest’ Before Delhi High Court
The AAP leader has previously sought the judge’s recusal, raising concerns over impartiality, though the court had reserved its decision on that plea. Thursday’s development adds a fresh layer to the legal battle, even as the court prepares to pronounce its verdict on both the recusal request and the merits of the CBI’s petition.
Arvind Kejriwal, chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Thursday urged the Delhi High Court to take on record an additional affidavit alleging a “direct conflict of interest” on the part of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) petition against his discharge in the Delhi excise policy case.
The affidavit was submitted during proceedings related to the CBI’s challenge to a trial court order that had granted Kejriwal relief in the high-profile liquor policy matter. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s now-scrapped excise policy, which has been under investigation by central agencies.
Justice Sharma directed the court registry to formally take Kejriwal’s additional affidavit on record. However, she made it clear that the court would not reopen proceedings after having already reserved its order on Kejriwal’s earlier application seeking her recusal from the case.
“I am not reopening the matter,” the judge observed, underlining that the submission of the affidavit would not alter the procedural stage of the case.
Kejriwal, who is a key accused named in the CBI’s probe, appeared before the court via video-conferencing during the hearing.
The outcome of the case is being closely watched, given its political significance and its potential implications for the AAP leadership ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
