New Delhi, 29 April (H.S.): The Delhi High Court will today hear the CBI's petition challenging a trial court order acquitting former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and 22 other accused in the Delhi excise policy scam case, with Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma presiding over the proceedings.

Notably, neither Kejriwal nor Manish Sisodia has filed arguments personally or through counsel. Both wrote to the High Court expressing lack of confidence in Justice Sharma's bench, stating they will undertake satyagraha instead.

On April 20, Justice Sharma rejected Kejriwal's recusal plea, affirming she would deliver judgment uninfluenced by allegations, consistent with her 34-year judicial career.

I have chosen the path of resolution over controversy.

Judicial power resides in its firm resolve to adjudicate claims, Justice Sharma stated, adding she would issue the order in Hindi since arguments were presented in that language. Kejriwal had questioned her impartiality, citing the March 9 initial hearing where none of the 23 accused appeared—only CBI was present—yet the court remarked that the sessions court order appeared prima facie incorrect without summoning records or hearing the other side.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar