Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday sought the recusal of Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarna Kant Sharma from hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) appeal in the Delhi excise policy case.

Kejriwal filed an additional affidavit before the court, raising concerns regarding the impartiality of the proceedings. In his submission, he questioned the professional engagements and empanelment of the judge’s children, Ishaan Sharma and Shambhavi Sharma, alleging potential conflict of interest.

The affidavit cited information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act by legal reporter Saurav Das. Kejriwal contended that the roles assigned to the judge’s children were not merely honorary but involved ongoing professional work linked to the central government.

He further alleged that the Solicitor General had been allocating cases to the judge’s children, raising apprehensions about the fairness of the judicial process. Emphasizing the need for an unbiased investigation, Kejriwal argued that while the CBI is prosecuting the case, the professional associations of the judge’s family with the Centre could compromise neutrality.

Kejriwal also objected to what he described as a “biased approach” and requested additional time from the court to present oral arguments. He informed the bench of his intention to exercise his right to file a rejoinder in the matter.

The development adds a fresh dimension to the ongoing legal proceedings in the Delhi excise policy case, which continues to remain under intense judicial and political scrutiny.