Sources familiar with the matter indicate that Kejriwal plans to appear personally to present the application, which is expected to be heard on Monday (April 6).
Other discharged accused are also anticipated to submit a similar recusal request, according to sources.
Previously, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, DK Upadhyaya, had rejected Kejriwal’s appeal to assign the CBI’s plea to a different judge, stating that the decision regarding recusal must be made by the presiding judge.
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In a representation submitted on March 11, Kejriwal, along with AAP leader Manish Sisodia and other accused in the excise policy case, expressed a “grave, bona fide, and reasonable apprehension” regarding the impartiality and neutrality of hearings before Justice Sharma.
On February 27, the trial court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia, and 21 others, criticizing the CBI for presenting a case that could not withstand judicial scrutiny and was entirely discredited.
On March 9, while issuing notice to all 23 accused regarding the CBI’s plea against their discharge, Justice Sharma noted that certain observations and decisions made by the trial court at the charge-framing stage appeared erroneous and warranted review.
Additionally, Justice Sharma’s bench suspended the trial court’s recommendation to initiate departmental action against the CBI’s investigating officer involved in the liquor policy case.
On March 16, Justice Sharma granted former Kejriwal and others time to respond to the CBI’s petition contesting their discharge.
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