A day after former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Leader Arvind Kejriwal boycotted case proceedings before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Tuesday also chose to stay away from proceedings in the excise policy case.

Manish Sisodia’s decision follows Kejriwal’s move to boycott hearings before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, with both leaders raising concerns over the perceived impartiality of the court.

In a letter to the court,  Manish Sisodia said his doubts remain unresolved despite the judge rejecting recusal pleas on April 20. He pointed to Justice Sharma’s public appearances at events linked to the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad and her children’s professional associations with government panels as factors contributing to a perceived conflict of interest. He argued that such circumstances warranted disclosure at the outset.

Justice Swarana Kant Sharma had earlier dismissed recusal requests, stating that a judge cannot be removed based on apprehensions raised by litigants and that her children’s legal careers cannot be held against her.

Read at- “I Will Not Recuse”: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma Declines Arvind Kejriwal’s Recusal Application https://thebarbulletin.com/delhi-high-court-rejects-recusal-plea/

The case stems from a 2022 probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into alleged irregularities in Delhi’s 2021–22 excise policy, including claims of cartelisation and kickbacks. The Enforcement Directorate also filed a related money laundering case.

A trial court had discharged Kejriwal and several others in February, but the CBI challenged the order in the Delhi High Court, where proceedings are ongoing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.