Kejriwal Writes to Delhi HC Judge, Refuses to Participate
Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal campaigns for TMC in Kolkata (Image Kejriwal on X)
AAP leader invokes ‘conscience’ and Gandhian satyagraha, raises concerns over conflict of interest and judicial impartiality
By AMIT KUMAR
New Delhi, April 27, 2026 — Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written a detailed letter to Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court, stating that he will not participate in further proceedings in a case before her bench, citing concerns over impartiality and conflict of interest.
In the letter, released on social media platforms on Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief said his decision was guided by “conscience” and rooted in the Gandhian principle of satyagraha. He maintained that his apprehensions regarding a fair hearing had not been addressed even after the court dismissed his earlier plea seeking the judge’s recusal on April 20.
Justice Sharma had earlier dismissed the recusal plea in a detailed judgment. She had argued that attending functions organised by members is a practice prevalent in judiciary. Kejriwal had alleged that the judge by attending such function had an ideological bias.
Kejriwal argued that justice must not only be done but also be “seen to be done,” adding that his concerns were not personal but related to public faith in the judiciary. He claimed that the rejection of his recusal plea had deepened his belief that he may not receive an impartial hearing.
The letter raises two key issues. First, Kejriwal referred to the judge’s alleged public association with the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad, which he described as linked to the ideological ecosystem of the ruling establishment. Second, he flagged a potential conflict of interest, noting that the judge’s children are empanelled as lawyers for the Union government, which is a party in the case.
He also cited data obtained through RTI to argue that one of the judge’s family members had been assigned a large number of government cases, raising concerns about fairness in a politically sensitive matter.
Kejriwal stated that continuing in the proceedings would amount to compromising his conscience, even though he acknowledged potential legal consequences. He clarified that his refusal applies only to this case and that he retains the right to challenge the recusal order before the Supreme Court of India.
The development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings linked to the Delhi excise policy case, intensifying the political and legal debate over judicial propriety and institutional trust.
Delhi Excise Case: Arvind Kejriwal in Tears after Court Discharges
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