CBI Says Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's Rulings Are Objective; Its Affidavit Lists RSS-Linked Events She Attended
Pavan Korada
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New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted documents detailing four instances where Justice Dr Swarana Kanta Sharma of the High Court of Delhi participated in Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad events between 2022 and 2025.
The CBI listed the facts in Annexure 2 of its counter-affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court. The agency submitted the document to oppose recusal applications filed by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and four others. The applicants are seeking Justice Sharma's recusal from hearing a revision petition that challenges a February trial court order discharging 23 accused in the Delhi excise policy case.
A poster detailing Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's participation in an event of the lawyers' body that is said to be Sangh-affiliated. Source: CBI affidavit in Delhi high court.
The applicants alleged an "ideological association" based on her attendance. The Adhivakta Parishad is a lawyers’ body considered an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Kejriwal previously informed the Court he would argue his recusal application as a party-in-person.
Event pamphlets submitted by the investigating agency list Justice Sharma participating in the following programmes:
Recorded event participation
December 26, 2022: Guest of Honour at the 16th National Conference titled "75 Years of Resurgent Bharat - Changing Contours of Law and Justice," organised at Kurukshetra University. Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant was the Chief Guest.
An invite as chief guest to Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma an ABAP event on the new legal codes from 2024.
March 17, 2023: Distinguished Speaker alongside Supreme Court Judge Justice Pankaj Mithal for an International Women's Day event titled "Shakti Parv - Shakti Se Shashaktikaran." The Adhivakta Parishad Delhi State organised the event at the Indian Society of International Law.
August 30, 2024: Chief Guest for a study circle on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. The Delhi High Court Unit organised it in the Judges Lounge, Delhi High Court.
August 8, 2025: Participant alongside Justice Mini Pushkarna in a programme titled "Challenges and Emerging Opportunities for Women Advocates in the Legal Arena." The Delhi High Court Unit organised it at Bar Room No. 18.
The CBI affidavit stated that attributing bias to a judge for attending legal seminars amounts to an attempt to scandalise and lower the authority of the court.
A 2025 event invite issued by the ABAP in which Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma is listed as a speaker about women advocates.
The agency also stated that attending a non-political legal seminar cannot be grounds for recusal. The CBI submitted that this attendance does not demonstrate ideological association, calling the applicants' claims "untenable."
The agency countered bias allegations by noting Justice Sharma granted interim bail to co-accused Arun Ramchandran Pillai on three separate occasions. The CBI stated that passing favourable and unfavourable orders removes any apprehension of bias.
Addressing claims of rushed proceedings, the CBI cited a Supreme Court mandate requiring the expeditious disposal of cases involving legislators. To demonstrate uniform practice, the agency referenced a separate CBI case involving former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad. That case saw 27 hearings in less than three months.
The CBI defended the Bench's interim ex-parte stay on adverse trial court observations against the investigating officer. The agency submitted that these interim orders do not bind the court at the final hearing and cannot cause bias.
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