Kejriwal seeks Justice Sharma’s recusal in excise case; Centre calls plea ‘contemptuous’

Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister, requested the Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court to recuse herself from hearing the CBI's appeal in the excise policy case. Kejriwal argued that a "real, grave and reasonable apprehension" of bias existed due to the judge's attendance at events organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad, a lawyer's body with ideological ties to the BJP-RSS. The Centre opposed the recusal application, calling it "contemptuous" and urging dismissal with costs. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that allowing such applications would set a dangerous precedent and undermine judicial impartiality.