High drama has surrounded the Delhi excise policy case with a citizens’ group writing to the Chief Justice of India seeking contempt proceedings against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, while the AAP simultaneously called for similar action against Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
Information was available with The Chenab Times detailing that the legal proceedings are intensifying ahead of an expected hearing in the Delhi High Court. The court is slated to hear a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) appeal against a lower court’s order that discharged Mr. Kejriwal and 21 other individuals in connection with the alleged scam.
Kejriwal’s Recusal Application and Public Reaction
Arvind Kejriwal is reportedly set to argue his own case in the High Court, presenting a recusal application. This application urges Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, whose bench has been assigned the matter, to recuse herself from hearing the case. The move has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including a group of senior advocates, academics, and former government officials.
This group addressed a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Surya Kant, requesting him to take cognisance of Mr. Kejriwal’s recusal application. They argued that by publicly demanding the recusal of Justice Sharma, Mr. Kejriwal had humiliated and embarrassed the judge. According to Supreme Court advocate Monika Arora, one of the signatories, Mr. Kejriwal’s actions set a dangerous precedent, undermining the dignity of the judiciary and potentially pressuring judicial officers.
“Many people who have signed the letter include former and present vice-chancellors, IPS officers, lawyers, senior advocates, bar members, the High Court Bar Association’s former president and secretary,” Ms. Arora stated, as reported by The Tribune. “We have said Arvind Kejriwal is setting a wrong precedent. This undermines the dignity of the judiciary. Judicial officers should be allowed to work without any political pressure, without any pressure tactics. This amounts to forum shopping and bench hunting. This should be discouraged, and this is criminal contempt of court because you are attributing motives to the judge. So we have requested the Chief Justice of India to suo motu initiate criminal contempt proceedings against this person (Kejriwal).”
AAP’s Counter-Allegations
In a swift counter-move, AAP’s Delhi in-charge, Saurabh Bharadwaj, issued a video statement demanding contempt proceedings against Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Mr. Bharadwaj alleged that Chief Minister Gupta had publicly claimed on television that the lower court had discharged Arvind Kejriwal and others in the excise case after reaching a settlement with the AAP.
Mr. Bharadwaj challenged Chief Minister Gupta to present evidence supporting her claim, failing which he asserted that the CJI should initiate contempt proceedings against her. He highlighted that the Chief Minister’s remarks suggested corruption on the part of the special CBI court judge who recently discharged AAP leaders in the case. He further drew a parallel to the Supreme Court’s suo motu cognizance of an NCERT chapter that allegedly insinuated corruption within the judiciary.
“The CJI took cognizance of a written chapter insinuating corruption in judiciary and here the CM of Delhi has publicly made her remarks saying a particular judge settled the case with AAP. So this is a fit case for initiation of contempt proceedings,” the AAP leader stated, sharing a video of the Chief Minister’s remarks on the social media platform X.
Legal Background of the Excise Case
The Delhi excise policy case involves allegations of irregularities and corruption in the formulation and implementation of the policy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI have been investigating the matter. Mr. Kejriwal and other AAP leaders have denied any wrongdoing and have consistently alleged that the cases are politically motivated.
The recent discharge of Mr. Kejriwal and others by a trial court was a significant development in the case. The CBI’s appeal against this discharge order is now being considered by the Delhi High Court. The High Court’s decision on the recusal application and the subsequent hearing of the appeal are expected to be crucial in the ongoing legal battle.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
