New Delhi, Following in the footsteps of leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, party leader Durgesh Pathak also refused to participate in the proceedings in the ongoing liquor tax case being heard by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court.
In a letter addressed to the judge, Pathak said he agreed with the concerns raised by Kejriwal who alleged a conflict of interest against the judge and added that he would not appear personally or through a legal representative before the court.
Pathak, Sisodia and Kejriwal are parties to the review petition filed by the CBI challenging their discharge in the liquor policy case.
“The present communication relates to the above-mentioned review application, which is currently undergoing subsidiary trial before this court,” Pathak said in the letter.
He said he took the decision after reviewing Kejriwal’s letter dated April 27, in which concerns about bias and impartiality were raised.
“Accordingly, I have also decided not to participate again in the present proceedings, either in person or through legal representation. The mandate, if any, executed in my favor in this matter may be treated as having been duly discharged,” he said.
Pathak said his letter should not be seen as a sign of disrespect for the court and reiterated his faith in the Constitution and the judiciary.
“I take this opportunity to state unequivocally my firm belief in the Constitution of India and in the institutional integrity of the judiciary of this nation,” he said.
He requested that the message be recorded in the record and that the proceedings be conducted in the manner the court deems appropriate and fair.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly Atishi questioned why Justice Sharma did not recuse herself from the case after Kejriwal raised concerns, claiming she had done so in other matters recently.
She asked what was different about this case, which was not considering stepping down.
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