Arvind Kejriwal News Highlights: Kejriwal says will argue plea for recusal of judge, SG Mehta says people making allegations against institution

SG Mehta submitted that he was prepared with his written submissions to oppose what he described as ‘frivolous’, ‘vexatious’, and ‘contemptuous’ allegations.

After the court asked Kejriwal whether he intended to argue the application personally, he replied that he would be doing so himself.

“I will argue this application myself. Subsequently I will see whatever are my legal rights, I will exercise my rights. Right now I have not issued by Vakalatnama to anyone so there is no question of discharge,” Kejriwal said.

The court was also informed that the plea filed before the Supreme Court for transfer of the case has been withdrawn.

The court while issuing notice in the matter said that if anyone else wanted to file a recusal application, may do so. The court will now hear the matter on April 13 (Monday).

What happened in the previous hearing? Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta appearing for the CBI had earlier objected after Senior Advocate N Hariharan, appearing for Kejriwal, had sought more time to file the reply. “Hon’ble court may not grant more than one week, we have an urgency. It is an exceptionable order. We seriously object to the order. It cannot remain on the record even for a second more than what is necessary,” SG Mehta said. “Let them file a reply”, the court replied. Senior Advocate Hariharan questioned the objection raised against the time sought, stating that he was unable to understand what prejudice would be caused to them. “It is an unfair request after getting an unfair order,” SG Mehta contended. To this, Senior Advocate Hariharan said, “This is not fair that you term the court as unfair, you term the proceedings as unfair, everything is unfair”.

Observations stayed: On March 9, the Delhi High Court stayed the trial court’s observations made against the investigating officer including the direction recommending departmental action against him, observing that the trial court’s remarks on the CBI’s investigating officer in the excise policy case were prima facie foundationally misconceived. On February 27, a trial court had discharged all 23 accused in the CBI case, including Kejriwal and Sisodia.