NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday heard the CBI’s plea challenging the discharge of former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and others in the alleged excise policy case. The matter has now been listed for April 13.Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife, appeared in court and informed the bench that he intends to argue his recusal application personally. A bench of Justices Swarana Kanta Sharma heard the matter.During proceedings, the bench clarified that a petitioner could only argue in person after discharging their counsel. The bench asked Kejriwal, “You will argue your case yourself?” He confirmed, “I will argue this case myself. I will avail my legal rights. As of now, I have not issued my vakalatnama to anyone.Kejriwal told the court, “I’ve filed a recusal application. Please take it on record.” Explaining procedural constraints, he added that as a petitioner representing himself, he could not e-file the application and requested the court to accept the hard copy, according to Bar and bench. “I will argue this application myself and exercise my legal rights thereafter,” he said.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, objected to Kejriwal arguing in person without discharging his counsel.“I have no objection to him appearing personally, but he has already engaged a lawyer. Unless he discharges his counsel, he cannot argue himself—if he chooses to appear, only he should represent the case going forward. This forum is not for theatrics,” Mehta said.He also flagged concerns about multiple recusal applications and repeated allegations against the judiciary.“Some people make a career out of making allegations. These are not just personal claims; they target an institution. This is something very serious that has happened in the capital of this country,” he said, referring to the multiple recusal applications filed in the case.Kejriwal insisted that he is following the high court procedure. “I filed the recusal application as per the High Court procedure. A petitioner appearing in person cannot e-file, so your lordships may kindly take it on record,” he said.The court has issued notice to the CBI on Kejriwal’s plea seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. The bench clarified that any other party wishing to file a recusal application may do so.
Background of the excise policy case
The excise policy case revolves around allegations of irregularities in Delhi’s liquor licensing process during Kejriwal’s tenure as chief minister. Several former officials, including Kejriwal, were initially discharged by the trial court, a decision challenged by the CBI.On March 11, Kejriwal and other former accused moved a representation seeking reassignment of the case to another judge, citing a “grave, bona fide and reasonable apprehension” that the hearing would not be impartial.Earlier, the high court had given Kejriwal and others a final opportunity to file their stance on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which sought to remove ‘unwarranted remarks’ made against it by the trial court while discharging the accused in the case.
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