NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Atishi on Monday supported Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to not participate in further proceedings in the excise policy case, citing concerns over perceived lack of impartiality after his plea seeking recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma was dismissed, according to news agency ANI.In a post on X, Atishi questioned public trust in the judicial system while justifying Kejriwal’s decision to adopt the path of “satyagraha”, referring to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.“When an ordinary person feels that they will not get justice, what options are left to them? That’s when they decide to take the path of truth and non-violence. The same path that Gandhi ji taught. Today, it’s not just about Arvind Kejriwal, but rather the sentiment of every citizen whose hope for justice is being shattered,” she said in a post on X.Earlier in the day, Kejriwal announced that he would not appear before the High Court in the Delhi excise policy case, citing two key reasons, including alleged bias due to ideological associations and a claimed conflict of interest involving the judge’s family members working with the central government.According to news agency ANI, the development came shortly after the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal’s plea seeking Justice Sharma’s recusal. The court held that the allegations did not meet the legal threshold of a reasonable apprehension of bias and were based on conjecture rather than evidence.In a video message, Kejriwal said, “The first reason is that the government, with the ideology of the RSS, which put me in jail by making false allegations, the lady judge herself has admitted that she has frequently visited the stages of Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad, an organisation linked to that ideology. The Aam Aadmi Party and I are staunch opponents of that ideology. In such a situation, can I get justice before her?”“The second reason is Conflict of Interest. In the court, the central government’s CBI is against me, and both children of Justice Swarnkanta ji work for the central government. Both her children are on the panel of lawyers for the central government. Opposing us in court is the Solicitor General, Shri Tushar Mehta ji. Tushar Mehta ji gives cases to both children. How many cases they will get, which cases they will get, this is decided by Tushar Mehta ji,” he said.The Delhi High Court, however, rejected these arguments, stating that no direct link had been established between the circumstances cited and the case itself. It also observed that judges’ family members are entitled to pursue independent professional careers, and such factors alone cannot form grounds for recusal.The court further noted that participation in public or professional events does not constitute proof of bias, and clarified that no political statements had been attributed to the judge.The case pertains to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22, in which the CBI has challenged the discharge of Kejriwal and other accused. With the recusal plea dismissed and Kejriwal indicating he will not participate further, the High Court is expected to proceed in accordance with law.
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