The Delhi High Court today rescheduled its order on AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal’s plea urging the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from excise police case till 4:30 PM. The matter was listed for 2:30 PM earlier.
Arvind Kejriwal appeared virtually in the hearing
Earlier in the day, the Former Delhi Chief Minister appeared virtually before Justice Sharma. During the hearing, he requested the court to accept his plea, “Ma’am, I have filed my rejoinder. That may be taken on record,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who too appeared virtually, urged the court not yo consider his request..
In his argument, Mehta said that after the matter is reserved for judgment, no pleas are accepted by the court. He further requested the court to follow a uniform practice that is applicable to all litigants. Arguing his case, Kejriwal noted that in case his rejoinder was not taken on record, his rejoinder, it may result in “miscarriage of justice.”
What did the court say?
Addressing him, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma asked Kejriwal not to make such a statement. She pointed out that the court already went out if its way by taking his additional affidavit on record, even though the judgment was reserved.
The court added that written submissions do not invite rejoinders. She added that with the court all set to pronounce the same day his rejoinder would be taken on record as a written statement. “I am giving this indulgence,” the judge said,” further. The case is related to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 matter. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had challenged the discharge of Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and others from the case.