News: Arvind Kejriwal refuses to appear before HC judge in excise policy case dispute

In a fresh escalation in the ongoing legal battle linked to the Delhi excise policy case, Arvind Kejriwal has publicly declared that he will neither appear in person nor be represented by legal counsel before Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court. Kejriwal made the announcement through a letter and a video message, stating that he has lost faith in receiving a fair hearing from the judge. He said he had initially approached the court with “full sincerity and humility,” requesting that the case be transferred to another bench. However, Justice Sharma declined to recuse herself and decided to continue presiding over the matter. Expressing disagreement with this decision, Kejriwal said his concerns about impartiality have deepened. Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, he announced that he would adopt the path of “satyagraha” as a form of protest. Under this approach, he will abstain from participating in proceedings before the judge, either directly or through his lawyers. Despite this stance, Kejriwal clarified that he will exercise his legal rights at an appropriate stage, including the option to challenge any adverse ruling in the Supreme Court of India. The development adds a new dimension to the politically sensitive case and is likely to trigger debate over judicial processes, political accountability, and constitutional remedies. Legal experts suggest that such a move could have significant procedural and legal implications as the case progresses.

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