Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 9: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opposed the plea filed by Arvind Kejriwal seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing matters related to the liquor policy case, stating that attending a legal seminar cannot be grounds to allege bias.

In its submission before the Delhi High Court, the CBI argued that Justice Sharma’s participation in a seminar organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad does not indicate any ideological association. The agency maintained that such claims are “frivolous” and “untenable”.

The probe agency further pointed out that several judges, including Surya Kant and other members of the higher judiciary, have attended similar events. It argued that accepting Kejriwal’s contention would set an impractical precedent, forcing multiple judges to recuse themselves in cases involving politically exposed individuals.

Kejriwal, along with AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak, had sought the judge’s recusal, citing apprehensions over impartiality. The plea also mentioned that Justice Sharma had previously ruled on matters related to the same case without granting relief to the accused.

Rejecting these claims, the CBI said that judicial decisions cannot be used to infer bias and described the recusal request as an attempt at “forum shopping”. It added that the judge was assigned the roster for cases involving MPs and MLAs by the Chief Justice, and such allocation cannot be altered based on individual requests.

The agency also warned that entertaining such pleas could undermine judicial independence and encourage “bench-hunting”. It stressed that recusal should be exercised only in exceptional circumstances and not on the basis of conjecture.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing on April 13.