Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said that “the judiciary cannot be questioned” as she welcomed the recent ruling of the Delhi High Court, which dismissed Arvind Kejriwal’s plea to recuse the judge hearing the exercise policy case.
Responding to the High Court decision, Gupta said the ruling was “excellent” and accused the Aam Aadmi Party convenor of repeatedly slandering judges every time court proceedings appeared to go against him.
“We have complete faith in the judiciary. This decision makes it clear that no one can question the judiciary,” she said, alleging that Kejriwal “selectively” accepts court orders that favour him while doubting others.
Last month, Kejriwal had moved the High Court seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in Delhi’s liquor policy case, citing a possible conflict of interest related to the listing of the judge’s children as Central government counsel.
He had argued that this created a reasonable apprehension of bias.
The Delhi High Court, on Monday, rejected the plea, stating that the allegations were based on “conjecture.” They did not meet the legal threshold required to establish a reasonable apprehension of bias, the judgment added.
Describing acceptance of such arguments as setting a “dangerous precedent,” the court observed that “the courtroom cannot become a theatre of perception” and cautioned against allowing litigants to cast doubts on judicial impartiality without substantive proof.
Backing the High Court’s decision rejecting the plea for recusal, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also criticised AAP national convenor on Tuesday during a press conference, calling him a “bully.” She alleged that Kejriwal attempted to “pressure” a female member of the judiciary, as he didn’t like the court’s earlier order.
