New Delhi, 27 June (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has issued a new roster of judicial assignments ahead of the resumption of regular court proceedings on July 1 following the conclusion of the summer vacation. The revised roster introduces a significant change in the bench designated to hear criminal cases involving Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs).

Under the new roster, Justice Manoj Jain has been assigned to hear cases registered against MPs and MLAs. These matters were previously being heard by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, during whose tenure several high-profile cases, including those related to the Delhi Excise Policy, came up for hearing.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's bench had attracted considerable public attention during proceedings on petitions filed by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. During the hearings, Kejriwal had alleged bias and requested the judge to recuse herself from the matter.

Justice Sharma, however, declined to recuse herself from hearing the case. Following her decision, Kejriwal chose to boycott the proceedings before her bench. Subsequently, the matter was administratively reassigned to another bench for further hearing.

According to the revised roster, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has now been entrusted with civil writ matters. She will hear petitions relating to sexual harassment of women at the workplace, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, and other allied matters.

In addition, she will hear writ petitions concerning mining issues, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), the Delhi Urban Arts Commission, and the Airports Authority of India.

The new roster will come into effect from July 1, with all subject-specific matters being listed before the newly designated benches in accordance with their revised assignments.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar