Excise policy scam case: ‘I will argue myself’, Kejriwal tells Delhi HC in recusal plea; next hearing on April 13 | India News
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Hearing on Monday CBIPetition challenging former CM’s resignation Arvind Kejriwal and others in alleged excise policy cases. The matter is now listed for April 13.Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife, appeared in the court and told the bench that he wanted to argue his withdrawal plea in person. A bench of Justice Swaran Kant Sharma heard the matter.During the proceedings, the bench clarified that a petitioner can argue in person only after discharging their counsel. The bench asked Kejriwal, “Will you plead your case yourself?” He confirmed, “I will argue the case myself. I will exercise my legal rights. So far, I haven’t issued my credentials to anyone.“I have filed a withdrawal plea. Please take it on record,” Kejriwal told the court. Explaining procedural constraints, he added that as an applicant representing himself, he could not e-file the application and requested the court to accept the hard copy as per bar and bench. “I will argue the plea myself and then exercise my legal rights,” he said.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, objected to Kejriwal arguing in person without his counsel.“I have no objection to appear him in person, but he has already engaged a lawyer. Until he disposes of his counsel, he cannot argue himself—if he wants to appear, he alone should represent the case ahead. This forum is not for theatrics,” Mehta said.He expressed concern over multiple withdrawal petitions and repeated complaints against the judiciary.“Some people make careers out of complaints. These are not just personal claims; they target an institution. This is something very serious that has happened in the capital of this nation,” he said, referring to multiple recall petitions filed in the case.Kejriwal insisted that he was following the high court procedure. “I have filed the recusal petition as per the High Court procedure. A petitioner appearing in person cannot e-file, so your Lordships may please take it on record,” he said.The court issued a notice to the CBI based on Kejriwal’s plea seeking the recall of Justice Swaran Kant Sharma. The bench clarified that any other party who wants to file a withdrawal application can do so.
Background of Excise Policy Litigation
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 acquitted by the trial court, a decision challenged by the CBI.On March 11, Kejriwal and the other ex-accused made a representation to reassign the case to another judge citing a “serious, genuine and reasonable apprehension” that the hearing would not be impartial.Earlier, the High Court had given Kejriwal and others a final chance to file their stand on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which sought to remove the ‘adverse remarks’ made against it by the trial court while disposing of the accused in the case.
