New Delhi, 29 April (H.S.): The Delhi High Court, hearing CBI's petition challenging the trial court's order discharging former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and 22 others in the Delhi excise scam, has directed the trial court to produce the complete record via messenger. Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma's bench scheduled the next hearing for May 4.
During proceedings, the court noted some accused filed replies while others hadn't, granting a final opportunity to respond. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, ASG SV Raju, and DP Singh represented CBI.
Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Durgesh Pathak boycotted, neither appearing nor arguing through counsel. They wrote to the court expressing no confidence in Justice Sharma, opting for satyagraha.
On April 20, Justice Sharma rejected Kejriwal's recusal plea, affirming she'd rule uninfluenced as throughout her 34-year career: Judiciary's power lies in resolute claim adjudication. I've chosen resolution over controversy. She'll issue the Hindi order matching arguments' language, citing prior relief granted Kejriwal's side on first hearing sans opposing arguments—questioning sessions court's order prima facie despite no accused present, only CBI appearing March 9.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
