Overview
- Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and others have written to Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya seeking reassignment of the CBI’s revision petition, citing a reasonable apprehension of bias.
- The request follows the March 9 order in which Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice to all 23 discharged accused and recorded that parts of the trial court’s findings appeared prima facie erroneous.
- The High Court also stayed the trial court’s observations recommending departmental action against the CBI investigating officer and asked that related ED proceedings be deferred.
- The AAP representation argues that interim interference with a discharge is extraordinary and points to Justice Sharma’s prior rulings in related matters to substantiate their concern.
- Senior advocate Kirti Uppal separately wrote to the Chief Justice criticizing Kejriwal’s move as undermining judicial independence and urging consideration of action, including possible criminal contempt.