New Delhi, Apr 27 — Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has declined to appear before the Delhi High Court—either in person or through counsel—in a case linked to the excise policy, citing apprehensions of bias after his plea seeking recusal of the judge was dismissed.
In a letter to Justice Swaran Kanta Sharma, Kejriwal said his “conscience does not allow” him to participate in proceedings where he does not expect a fair hearing. The High Court had on April 20 rejected his application seeking the judge’s recusal.
“My decision is not driven by anger or resentment, but by unwavering faith and humility in the role of the judiciary,” Kejriwal wrote, adding that the rejection of his plea had been perceived as a personal attack, which “dimmed the hope of a fair hearing.”
He said he was prepared to face the consequences of his stand, invoking the principle of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha.
Kejriwal cited two grounds for his apprehension: an alleged public association of the judge with the All India Bar Association, which he described as aligned with the ruling establishment, and a claimed conflict of interest, asserting that the judge’s children are empanelled as lawyers for the central government and receive cases from the CBI, a party in the matter.
“In such a situation, how can a common citizen believe that the bench will give a verdict against the central government,” he said.
Kejriwal stated he would no longer participate in the proceedings in any manner but maintained that his respect for the judiciary and the Constitution remains intact. He said he reserves the right to challenge the issue before the Supreme Court of India.
He requested the court to take his letter on record and proceed further as it deems appropriate.