Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced the ‘boycott’ of High Court judge Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma. He has said that he will neither appear nor send any of his lawyers in his case related to the alleged liquor scam which is being heard by the bench of Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma.
Releasing a video message on Monday morning, Kejriwal called it Satyagraha and said that he was following the path shown by Bapu. He has also written an open letter to Justice Swarn Kanta and has enumerated the reasons for his decision.
Arvind Kejriwal said in the video that he is standing at such a juncture where right and wrong matter more than victory and defeat and he has chosen a difficult path for this. The former CM said, ‘There come many occasions in life when victory and defeat do not matter, the question of right and wrong becomes bigger than that. What is right and what is wrong. At such times we have to decide whether we will choose the difficult path or the easy one. I am also standing at a similar point.
I was put in jail in a false case, the court declared me innocent: Kejriwal
Recalling his journey from being trapped in the alleged liquor scam, Kejriwal told how questions arose in his mind about Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma. He said, ‘You know that I was implicated in a false case, I was sent to jail, an elected government was wrongfully toppled. Kept us in jail for many months. Ultimately truth prevailed. The court declared me innocent. The court said that Kejriwal is innocent, Kejriwal did not commit any corruption. The court raised questions on the CBI investigation. Ordered an inquiry against the investigating officer. CBI challenged in the High Court. This case came before Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma. Then a big question arose in my mind whether I would get justice before them.
Kejriwal made the same allegations again
In his video message, Kejriwal once again reiterated the allegations which he had made during his appearance in the court of Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma and which have been rejected by the court. Regarding her apprehensions, Kejriwal said, ‘There are many reasons for this, but two reasons are main, the first reason is that the RSS ideological government which put me in jail on false charges, Judge Sahiba admitted that she has been attending the forums of the organization associated with it. I and the Aam Aadmi Party are staunch opponents of that ideology, so can I get any alternative? The second reason is conflict of interest. There is CBI against me in the court, and both the children of Justice are in the panel of lawyers of the Central Government. The lawyer in front of us from the other side is Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, he gives the case to both his children. Let us decide how many and which cases will be received. There are 700 lawyers in the panel but Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma’s son is among the lawyers who have won the most cases. He got crores of rupees in fees. The future and earnings of his children depend on Tushar Mehta. It is natural in someone’s mind that if the future of the judge’s children is being decided by a lawyer, will she be able to take a decision against that lawyer?
‘My arguments were rejected’
Kejriwal said, ‘I have full faith in the judiciary and respect it a lot. When there was a wrong conspiracy against me, it was the judiciary that gave justice. This is the one who gave the bail. Pleaded not guilty. Whenever the country came under attack, it was the judiciary that saved it. I also respect Justice Swarn Kanta a lot. I have no personal objection to him. But the biggest principle of justice is that not only should justice be done but justice should be seen to be done. That’s why I appealed to him to distance himself from this case. But she rejected my arguments and said she would listen herself.
Mention of the path shown by Gandhi
Arvind Kejriwal said that the easy way out for me is to accept his order and fight my case by appointing a big lawyer. But this issue is not just about my case but about the trust of common people in the judiciary. At the time of such dilemma, Bapu gave us the path of Satyagraha. When faced with injustice, the first step should be dialogue, not protest. One should speak with complete humility. If you do not get justice despite all efforts, listen to your conscience. Satyagraha should be carried out with peace and humility, whatever may be its consequences. In this whole episode there should not be anger or hatred towards the person who committed injustice. I also put my point before the Justice, requesting him to let it be heard by some other judge. They rejected my request. She said she would not recuse herself. I disagree with his decision. After this whole incident, my apprehension has deepened as to whether I will get justice.
Announcement of not appearing in court, even lawyers will not go
Arvind Kejriwal said that he will not even send his lawyer in the current case, however, if CBI, Central Government or Tushar Mehta are not involved in any future case, he will go to the Justice Court. Kejriwal said, ‘Following Bapu’s path, I have decided that I will appear before Justice Swarn Kanta ji in this case and neither will any lawyer. Whatever decision she gives, I am free to go to the Supreme Court. I have no personal grudge against him. If any case comes before him for which BJP, Central Government or Tushar Mehta are not against it, then I will appear before him. You may ask why I am not going to the Supreme Court against him. I am preparing. One step at a time has to be taken keeping in mind the respect for law and judiciary. I am not taking this step out of arrogance and rebellion. The law is not to be challenged. I have cooperated in every court in this case. I respect the judiciary very much. To increase people’s confidence in the justice system of the country.