Liquor Policy Case: After Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia Boycotts Hearing Before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma

After Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia has also written to Delhi High Court judge, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, stating that he will not participate in further proceedings in the CBI liquor policy case pending before her. In his letter, Sisodia has said that like Kejriwal, he too accepts Gandhiji's principle of Satyagraha and that his conscience has left him with no other alternative. He has said that his decision is limited to the excise policy case and shall not be understood as any general refusal to appear before Justice Sharma in all matters, nor as general distrust of judicial institution. Justice Sharma is hearing the revision petitions filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation against the trial court's order dischargingKejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Sigh and all other accused in the alleged liquor policy corruption case. Kejriwal and Sisodia had earlier filed applications seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma from the case, raising apprehension of bias on her part. Last week, Justice Sharma, dismissed the recusal applications and decided to hear the matter herself.In his letter, Sisodia has said that two aspects have troubled him a lot- Justice Sharma's repeated appearance in Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad events and professional engagement of her children on multiple Union Government panels. He has said that he does not wish to question the professional ability of her children but the standard by which public confidence in courts is sustained is not confined to actual wrongdoing but to situations where surrounding circumstances create a serious appearance of conflict of interest and bias. “I am aware that some may misread such a step as an attack on the judiciary. I would against reiterate: this is incorrect. Constitutional maturity would have it that one may disagree with a particular course being followed in a particular case without losing faith in the institution as a whole. My respect for the judiciary remains undiminished. It is precisely because courts occupy so vital a place in our constitutional life that circumstances capable of shaking public confidence must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” he has said. “My concern too, much like Mr. Kejriwal's, is not born out of hostility to the Court. It is born of a deep unease that, if I continue to participate despite these circumstances, I would be acting against my own conscience too while pretending before my fellow countrymen that all doubts stand resolved. The question before me is therefore a simple one: can I, with honesty, continue to take part in these proceedings while carrying a serious apprehension about the appearance of impartial justice? After much reflection, my answer is similar to Mr. Kejriwal's. I cannot,” the letter adds.Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal Boycotts Hearing In Liquor Policy Case Before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, Invokes 'Gandhian Satyagraha'

Liquor Policy Case: After Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia Boycotts Hearing Before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma

Nupur Thapliyal

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Liquor Policy Case: After Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia Boycotts Hearing Before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma

Nupur Thapliyal

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