Justice Manoj Jain To Hear Delhi Excise Policy Case After Justice Sharma’s Withdrawal

In the Delhi Excise Policy case involving Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, the matter before the Delhi High Court will now be heard by Justice Manoj Jain after Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma transferred the case to another Bench.

The transfer came after Justice Sharma initiated contempt proceedings against Kejriwal, Sisodia and several other AAP leaders over alleged defamatory social media posts targeting her in connection with the case.

The excise policy matter began in 2022 after the Central Bureau of Investigation registered an FIR alleging irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. According to the agency, the policy was manipulated to favour certain liquor traders and create monopolies in the liquor business in Delhi.

The CBI alleged that kickbacks were received from liquor manufacturers and that loopholes were intentionally introduced in the policy framework. Later, the Enforcement Directorate also initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The investigation led to the arrest of several opposition leaders, including Kejriwal and Sisodia. However, on February 27 this year, a trial court discharged Kejriwal and 22 other accused persons in the case.

The CBI challenged the discharge order before the Delhi High Court, where the matter was initially listed before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. During the proceedings, Justice Sharma stayed directions issued by the trial court against the investigating officer and also observed that certain findings in the discharge order appeared erroneous at first glance.

Kejriwal, Sisodia, Durgesh Pathak, Vijay Nair, Arun Pillai and Chanpreet Singh Rayat later sought Justice Sharma’s recusal from the matter. They argued that there was an apprehension of bias and alleged conflict of interest.

Kejriwal claimed that the judge’s family members were panel counsel for the Central government. He also referred to her participation in events organised by groups allegedly opposed to AAP and pointed out that some of her previous orders had been set aside by the Supreme Court.

Justice Sharma rejected the recusal applications on April 20 and decided to continue hearing the case. Following this, Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak chose to boycott proceedings before her Bench.

On May 14, Justice Sharma initiated contempt proceedings against several AAP leaders for allegedly making vilifying and defamatory remarks against her on social media. Considering the developments, she directed that the excise policy case be placed before another judge of the High Court.

Justice Manoj Jain will now hear the matter going forward.