Judicial Integrity vs. Political Pressure: Delhi High Court Standoff

In a significant legal development, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court has declined to step aside from adjudicating the contentious liquor-policy case, despite requests from AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and his associates. Delivering a marathon hour-long judgment, Justice Sharma firmly dismissed what she termed as baseless apprehensions of bias.

Emphasizing the judiciary's independence, Justice Sharma underscored the dangers of yielding to political pressure. She articulated that her involvement in professional engagements, such as those conducted by the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad, are legitimate and not indicative of political bias.

Justice Sharma also countered allegations of potential conflicts of interest, advocating for the professional independence of judges' family members. She firmly rejected the notion of political influence and maintained her commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the judiciary.

(With inputs from agencies.)