Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appeared in person before the Delhi High Court on Monday to argue for the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from the Delhi Excise policy case. The court recorded his application and has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit its response by April 7, 2026. This development comes as the legal battle over the now-scrapped excise policy enters a crucial phase in the higher judiciary where the CBI is challenging a previous discharge order.
What happened in the Delhi High Court hearing?
The proceedings saw Arvind Kejriwal representing himself, stating that e-filing rules do not permit petitioners appearing in person to file digitally without specific procedures. The court took note of his presence and his recusal application, ordering the registry to digitize the records for formal entry. The Bench also clarified that any other party involved in the case who wants to move a similar recusal application is free to do so before the next hearing scheduled for April 13, 2026.
Key points regarding the Recusal Plea and CBI objections
- Kejriwal expressed a bona fide apprehension regarding the fairness of the hearing under the current bench and has also moved the Supreme Court for a transfer.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the CBI opposed the move and termed the allegations as frivolous and targeting the institution.
- The CBI is currently appealing against a trial court order from February 27, 2026, which had discharged Kejriwal and 22 others in this case.
- The court has directed the CBI to file its official reply to the recusal application by Tuesday.
