Excise policy case: Kejriwal argues recusal plea personally, HC lists matter for April 13

Arvind Kejriwal personally appeared before the Delhi High Court on Monday, April 6, 2026, to press his application in the ongoing excise (liquor) policy case , a key development in the high‑profile legal battle over alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the city’s liquor policy.

Accompanied by his wife, Kejriwal filed an application seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) appeal challenging the trial court’s order that had discharged him and others, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia , in the excise policy matter.

During the hearing, Kejriwal told the court that he would argue his application himself , underscoring his confidence to take up his legal rights directly, highlighting procedural concerns such as e‑filing constraints for self‑represented petitioners and requesting the Bench’s permission to proceed.

The High Court took Kejriwal’s recusal plea on record and issued notice to the CBI on the application, with the agency strongly opposing the move. The court also listed the matter for further hearing on April 13, 2026 at 2:30 pm , when detailed arguments on the recusal plea and the CBI’s revision petition will be taken up.

Outside the court, Kejriwal described the proceedings as “ sub judice ,” reflecting the ongoing nature of the legal battle, and reaffirmed that he intends to continue arguing his case personally as the matter progresses.

The recusal application asserts a “grave, bona fide and reasonable apprehension of bias” if Justice Sharma continues to hear the matter, and follows Kejriwal’s earlier move to seek a transfer of the case to another bench , which was declined, prompting the current judicial plea.

Alongside the recusal plea, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also challenged a trial court order that acquitted Kejriwal in a separate summons‑compliance matter connected to the excise policy probe, with the High Court issuing notice to Kejriwal and setting deadlines for pleadings in that case.

Separately on Monday, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court also ruled that press‑conference statements made by political leaders, including Kejriwal’s 2020 rent relief assurances, are not legally enforceable without formal policy backing , setting aside an earlier directive that had treated such statements as enforceable.