Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma’s rejection of former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s recusal plea in the liquor policy case brings to an end a troubling exchange. Underlining that “justice is not achieved by bowing to pressure,” Justice Sharma held that a litigant cannot be allowed to judge a judge without material evidence, and judges cannot recuse themselves merely to satisfy unfounded apprehensions of bias. There can be little disagreement with this but two issues frame this episode: The imperative to protect judicial independence, which is threatened when motives are imputed through hearsay and speculation; and the disquieting pattern of opposition leaders in the dock after being targeted by central........

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