"New twist in Delhi excise case: Kejriwal-Sisodia tell High Court to change judge, lack of impartiality"

A new legal twist has emerged in the case related to Delhi's alleged excise policy. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other accused in the case have written to the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court seeking transfer of the case to another bench.

In their letter, the accused have said that the stand of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, who is hearing the case, shows bias during the hearing. He says that several orders passed earlier by Justice Sharma in matters related to excise policy were later overturned by the Supreme Court of India. In such a situation, the case should be transferred to another bench to ensure a fair trial.

The letter also said that it is extremely important to maintain transparency and fairness in the judicial process. If the hearing of the case is assigned to another bench, it will further strengthen the faith of the public in the judicial system.

Last week, Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court had acquitted Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the alleged Delhi liquor policy corruption case. The court, in its order, had said the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. The court also observed that the investigating agency seemed to be relying mainly on the statements of government witnesses and was expecting the court to "connect the dots" when concrete evidence was not enough.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has challenged the acquittal of all 23 accused in the Delhi High Court. The High Court has issued notices to Kejriwal, Sisodia and others and sought their response on the CBI's plea. The court also stayed for the time being the adverse observations made by the trial court against the CBI and its officers.

Now the legal debate is likely to intensify after the demand to change the bench in this case.