Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Delhi chief minister, refused to appear before Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma in the Delhi High Court.

The refusal marks a significant escalation in the legal battle over the city's excise policy, as a high-profile political figure challenges the impartiality of a presiding judge.

In a four-page letter [1], Kejriwal said that he will not appear in the excise policy case personally or through a lawyer before Justice Sharma. The letter alleges that the judge is biased and has attempted to pressure him during the proceedings [2].

Kejriwal requested that Justice Sharma recuse herself from the case, citing a conflict of interest [2]. The AAP chief said that the current circumstances make a fair trial impossible under the judge's supervision.

"I will not appear in the excise policy case personally or through a lawyer before Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma," Kejriwal said [2].

The Delhi High Court is currently handling the complex litigation regarding the excise policy, which has seen multiple legal challenges and arrests. This move to boycott the court proceedings reflects a deepening rift between the party leadership and the judiciary overseeing the matter [1].

Justice Sharma has not yet issued a formal response to the request for recusal or the allegations of bias. The court's decision on how to proceed will determine whether the case continues under the same bench or is reassigned to a different judge [2].

“"I will not appear in the excise policy case personally or through a lawyer before Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma,"”

This confrontation highlights the tension between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Indian judicial system. By refusing to appear and alleging bias, Kejriwal is challenging the legitimacy of the court's process, which could either lead to a reassignment of the case or result in legal penalties for non-appearance.