BREAKING| Arvind Kejriwal Moves Supreme Court To Transfer CBI Liquor Policy Case From Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma

Arvind Kejriwal has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's rejection of his request to transfer the CBI's petition challenging his discharge in the liquor policy case from the bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

In the writ petiton filed today, Kejriwal has challenged the Delhi High Court Registrar General's order, which was issued on the basis of the instruction of the Chief Justice. Rejecting his request, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court said that the case has been assigned to Justice Sharma as per the existing roster and there was no reason to assign the matter to another bench.

On February 27, the trial court discharged all the 23 accused persons in the case, including political leaders Kejriwal, Sisodia and K Kavitha. The trial court had also severely criticised the CBI's investigation in the case. It may be noted that the case had become politically controversial, as Kejriwal was arrested and remanded to the custody amidst the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He was later granted bail by the Supreme Court after 156 days of custody. AAP leader Manish Sisodia also spent 530 days in custody in the case.

The CBI's revision against the trial court's order was heard by Justice Sharma, who on March 9, prima facie observed that the trial court's observations were prima facie erroneous.

The AAP Chief later wrote to the Chief Justice seeking change of the Judge, saying that no specific reason was recorded to comment against the trial court's order. Kejriwal also stated that the Justice Sharma had earlier refused bail to many accused in the liquor policy case, and the Supreme Court had later granted them relief. The AAP leader has sought transfer on the ground of a "grave, bona fide, and reasonable apprehension that the matter may not receive a hearing marked by impartiality and neutrality".

Kejriwal has also filed a separate Special Leave Petition challenging Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's observations against the trial court's order.

Case  : Arvind Kejriwal v. CBI WP(Crl) | Diary No.15968/2026 , Arvind Kejriwal v. CBI SLP(Crl)| Diary No. 15911/2026