New Delhi, May 14: Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Thursday recused herself from hearing the Delhi excise policy case after initiating criminal contempt proceedings against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and several other Aam Aadmi Party leaders over alleged defamatory and vilifying social media posts directed at the court.
The contempt proceedings were also initiated against Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Vinay Mishra, Durgesh Pathak and Saurabh Bharadwaj in connection with remarks and online material linked to the ongoing excise policy matter.
Justice Sharma observed that since contempt proceedings had been initiated, judicial discipline required that the excise policy case be transferred to another bench. She clarified that the recusal should not be interpreted as acceptance of demands made earlier seeking her withdrawal from the case.
According to reports, the judge said she did not want any accused to feel that she held a personal grudge while hearing the matter and therefore decided to step aside from the proceedings.
The matter pertains to the CBI’s challenge against the discharge of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and other accused in the Delhi excise policy case.(KNC)
