Who is Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma? Why does Kejriwal want Delhi HC judge to be removed from the liquor case? | explainer news

Last updated:06 April, 2026, 12:15 IST

Who is Justice Swarnakanta Sharma? Why does Arvind Kejriwal want to separate them? What is the Delhi Excise Liquor Policy issue? News18 tells

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday filed a petition in the Delhi High Court (HC) seeking removal of Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma in the matter related to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI’s) petition against the discharge of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and all other accused in the liquor policy case.

Who is Justice Swarnakanta Sharma? Why does Kejriwal want to separate them? What is the liquor policy issue? News18 tells.

Who is Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma?

Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma She is a permanent judge of the Delhi High Court, having been elevated to the post on March 28, 2022. Before her promotion, she served as a magistrate at the age of 24 and later became Principal District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (CBI) at Rouse Avenue Court in March 2022.

Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma holds the degree of LLB. (1991), LLM. (2004), and a Ph.D. (2025) in judicial education, with experience of presiding over civil, criminal and special courts (including women’s courts).

She has written several books, including Judicial Education – Achieving a Constitutional Approach to Justice and works on social issues such as Tumhari Sakhi (women’s rights) and Beyond Baghban (senior citizens’ rights).

Justice Sharma and Delhi Liquor Policy case: What happened after Kejriwal’s leave?

On February 27, the trial court acquitted him of the charges. KejrivalSisodia and 21 others slammed the CBI, saying its case is completely incapable of surviving judicial scrutiny and is completely discredited.

Issuing notice on March 9 on CBI’s plea against the discharge of all 23 accused, Justice Sharma said that certain observations and findings of the trial court at the stage of framing of charges appear prima facie wrong and need to be considered.

Justice Sharma’s bench also stayed the trial court’s recommendation to initiate departmental action against the CBI investigating officer in the liquor policy case.

On March 16, Justice Sharma had given time to former Kejriwal and others to respond to the CBI’s plea challenging their discharge.

What is Kejriwal’s argument? Why does he want to remove Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma?

In a representation made on 11 March, KejrivalAlso, AAP leader Manish Sisodia and other accused in the excise policy case claimed that there was a “serious, genuine and reasonable apprehension” that the hearing of the case before Justice Sharma would not be fair and neutral.

Kejriwal claimed that Justice Sharma’s past conduct and handling of several related excise policy cases revealed a “prediction”. He said that on the first day of the CBI’s appeal, he recorded a prima facie opinion that the trial court’s order (which acquitted the accused) was “erroneous” without hearing the defence. According to reports, AAP leaders pointed out that the Supreme Court had earlier quashed several orders passed by Justice Sharma in the same excise probe.

He stayed the trial court’s recommendation for a departmental inquiry against the CBI investigating officer, which Kejriwal argued was a “sweeping and consequential relief” given prematurely.

A similar petition seeking recusal from the case is also expected to be filed by other acquitted accused, sources told PTI.

Had Kejriwal filed a recusal petition against the judge in the past?

On March 13, 2026, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay rejected Kejriwal’s administrative plea to transfer the case, saying it was assigned as per the official roster and any request for separation from the case should be made directly to the judge.

Kejriwal then approached the Supreme Court challenging the denial of transfer and certain interim orders passed by Justice Sharma.

On April 6, 2026, Kejriwal personally appeared before the Delhi High Court to argue a formal judicial application to recuse from hearing, urging Justice Sharma to recuse himself from the case.

What is Delhi Liquor Policy issue?

Delhi Liquor Policy Case Refers to allegations of corruption and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

The policy, introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in November 2021, sought to completely privatize the liquor trade in Delhi. The government closed down retail sales of liquor, allowing private licensees to run all 849 shops in 32 zones. Licensees were allowed unlimited discounts and set their own prices, and shop hours were extended to 3 a.m.

The stated objectives were to increase state revenues, eliminate the “liquor mafia”, and improve the consumer experience.

Following a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary in July 2022, the policy was scrapped and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated investigations. The agencies alleged that the policy was “manipulated” to favor a group of businessmen (“South Group”) in exchange for a bribe of ₹100 crore. It was alleged that the profit margin for wholesalers was arbitrarily increased from 5% to 12% to facilitate these bribes. The ED claimed that the bribe money was used to finance AAP’s election campaigns in Goa and Punjab in 2022.

Who were arrested?

A total of 23 persons were arrested by central agencies in the Delhi Liquor Policy case, although a special court had recently acquitted all 23 accused in the related CBI corruption case due to lack of prima facie evidence.

The major arrests were:

Manish Sisodia (former Deputy CM): Arrested on February 26, 2023, he spent nearly 17 months (about 530 days) in custody before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in August 2024.

Arvind Kejriwal (Former Delhi CM): Arrested on March 21, 2024, he remained in jail for about 5 months (about 150 days), except for a 21-day interim relief for election campaigning, until he got bail in September 2024.

Sanjay Singh (AAP Rajya Sabha MP): Arrested on October 4, 2023, he spent 6 months behind bars before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in April 2024.

K Kavita (BRS leader): Arrested on March 15, 2024, he spent 5 months in custody before being released on bail in August 2024.

Vijay Nair (AAP communication in-charge): Arrested in September 2022, he spent nearly 24 months in jail before getting bail in September 2024.

current situation

On 27 February 2026 a special trial court Acquitted all 23 accused, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, and ruled that the CBI’s evidence was based on “conjecture” and there was no prima facie case. CBI challenged this discharge in Delhi High Court. On March 9, 2026, Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma stayed the trial court’s adverse observations against the investigating agencies and issued notice to the accused. Separately, the ED has challenged Kejriwal’s acquittal in cases related to non-compliance of earlier summons; The High Court is going to hear this on April 29.

How did BJP react?

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said the move showed a “lack” of respect for the judicial system. “This announcement completely exposes Arvind Kejriwal, who is disappointed and defeated on all fronts. After losing his petition to transfer the case to another bench, Kejriwal will now file a petition himself to remove the case from the concerned judge. Is this his respect for the judiciary and the judicial system?” HT quoted Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor as saying.

Top FAQs

What was the main issue in the liquor policy case?

Case The issue revolves around alleged irregularities and corruption in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, including claims of favoritism and financial malpractices in license allocation.

What was the role of Justice Swarnakanta Sharma?

As a judge of the Delhi High Court, he heard petitions related to bail, arrest and procedural challenges related to investigation.

Why is this matter important?

This has major political and legal implications, including questions about abuses by high-profile leaders, central agencies and transparency, governance and policy frameworks.

with agency input

read more