Delhi HC Judge Justice Sharma to pass order on recusal plea by Kejriwal at 2.30 pm

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court Judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma will pronounce her verdict at 2.30 pm on Monday on pleas by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and others seeking her recusal in the liquor policy case.

Justice Sharma had reserved her decision on April 13.

Kejriwal had raised several objections against the judge hearing the CBI's plea against his discharge in the liquor policy case, including that she had earlier denied him relief on his petition challenging his arrest and refused to grant relief on the bail pleas of other accused, including Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha.

He also claimed that Justice Sharma had made "strong and conclusive" findings.

The former Delhi chief minister further alleged a "direct conflict of interest", claiming that the judge's children are empanelled central government lawyers who receive work through the solicitor general, who is appearing in the matter for the CB

Besides KejriwalKejriwal, the applications for recusal of the judge were also filed by AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak. Other respondents, including Vijay Nair and Arun Ramchandra Pillai, have also sought her recusal.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the CBI and opposed the plea. He urged Justice Sharma to initiate contempt action against Kejriwal and others for seeking her recusal.

Terming concerns by Kejriwal and others as "apprehensions of an immature mind," Mehta told the court it was a matter of "institutional respect" and Justice Sharma should not succumb to pressure as her recusal on "unfounded allegations" would set a bad precedent.

On February 27, the trial court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia and others in the Delhi liquor policy case, saying that the CBI's case was wholly unable to survive judicial scrutiny and stood discredited in its entirety.