Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Monday (April 20, 2026) rejected former CM Arvind Kejriwal’s recusal plea in liquor policy case, saying that, “justice is not achieved by bowing to pressure”.
In the pronouncement that lasted for more than an hour, Justice Sharma said a litigant cannot be allowed to judge a judge without any material, and judges cannot recuse themselves to satisfy a litigant’s unfounded apprehension of bias.
She added that a political leader cannot be allowed to damage an institution without any basis, as a personal attack on a judge is an attack on the judiciary itself.
Justice Sharma concluded that the narrative in the pleas for her recusal was based on conjectures and “perceived inclinations”.
“This court will stand up for itself and the institution.... I will not recuse,” the judge said.
