Delhi High Court Judge Recuses from Karti Chidambaram’s CBI FIR Quashing Plea

April 28, 2026 : Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court has officially recused herself from hearing a petition filed by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, who is seeking to quash a CBI FIR involving an alleged bribery scandal with Diageo Scotland. During the scheduled hearing, the judge declined to preside over the matter and ordered it to be placed before a different Bench, with the next proceedings likely to take place in July. This recusal also extends to a connected petition filed by Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited which arises from the same investigative report.

The legal battle stems from CBI allegations that Chidambaram received illegal gratification from Diageo Scotland in 2005 to facilitate the lifting of a liquor import ban while his father, P. Chidambaram, was the Union Finance Minister. The prosecution has invoked serious charges including criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Indian Penal Code, as well as multiple provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act related to the abuse of official position and the receipt of undue advantages.