Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma: Delhi High Court Judge Swarn Kanta Sharma, while rejecting the petition of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, refused to recuse herself from hearing the liquor policy case.
Aam Aadmi Party leaders are upset with the High Court’s decision. Former Dwarka MLA Vinay Mishra called Judge Swarn Kanta Sharma biased and even said that he has confirmed his seat in Rajya Sabha with this decision.
Earlier on Monday, the court of High Court Judge Swarn Kanta Sharma gave a big blow to the AAP supremo by rejecting Kejriwal’s arguments. Justice Sharma commented that the plaintiff’s allegations are not proved nor can the plaintiff give orders to the High Court judge. Only the upper bench i.e. Supreme Court can do this. During the hearing, Kejriwal himself became a lawyer and made many serious allegations against the judge, including his participation in an RSS program. Justice Sharma answered all the allegations of Kejriwal one by one.
AAP leaders upset with the decision
AAP leaders are upset after High Court Judge Sharma dealt a blow to the case related to Kejriwal. Vinay Mishra, while sharing some old pictures and videos of Judge Swarn Kanta Sharma in a social media post, wrote, “Judge Sahiba repeatedly participates in the program of a political organization. Not only does she participate, but also accepts the award in her own hands. When leaders of opposing ideologies raise questions, she teaches them the lesson of morality. It is as if the seat of Rajya Sabha is confirmed. Amazing… really amazing. After all, what else is needed? Recognize the face in the picture.”
Why did you distance yourself from Naresh Baliyan case?
Vinay Mishra further wrote, “After retirement, he also ensured a Rajya Sabha seat for himself. Well, if it is so, then why did the judge recuse himself from the hearing in Naresh Baliyan’s case in the morning itself? Actually, all this was well planned.”
What are Kejriwal’s arguments in Judge Sharma’s court?
Kejriwal had raised several objections to Justice Sharma hearing the CBI petition challenging his acquittal in the excise policy case. He had said that Justice Sharma had earlier refused to grant him relief on the petition challenging his arrest and he had directed Manish Sisodia and K. Even on the bail petitions of other accused including Kavita, they were not given relief.
Personal attacks on Judge Sharma
He also claimed that Justice Sharma had given “strong and decisive” findings. The former Delhi Chief Minister also alleged “direct conflict of interest” and claimed that Justice Sharma’s children are central government empaneled lawyers who get work through the Solicitor General and the Solicitor General is appearing for the CBI in the case.
Apart from Kejriwal, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak had also filed petitions requesting the judge to recuse from the hearing. Other defendants, including Vijay Nair and Arun Ramachandra Pillai, have also requested Justice Sharma to recuse himself from the hearing.