Delhi High Court to Appoint Amici Curiae for Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak in CBI Liquor Policy Case

May 5, 2026 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said it would appoint senior advocates as amici curiae to represent AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak in the CBI case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

The matter came up before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who deferred the hearing on the CBI’s petition challenging the trial court order discharging the three AAP leaders from the case. The court posted the matter for further hearing on May 8, observing that proceedings would continue after legal assistance is arranged through amici curiae.

Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister of Delhi, along with Sisodia and Pathak, had decided to boycott the proceedings before Justice Sharma after the judge declined to recuse herself from hearing the case. The AAP leaders had raised concerns of conflict of interest and apprehension of bias.

In a communication addressed to the judge, the three leaders stated that they would neither appear personally nor engage any counsel before the bench after their recusal applications were rejected on April 20.

In their plea seeking recusal, the AAP leaders argued that Justice Sharma’s children are empanelled lawyers for the central government and receive assignments through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is representing the CBI in the excise policy matter.

Rejecting the allegations, Justice Sharma held that judges cannot recuse themselves merely on the basis of unfounded apprehensions raised by litigants.

An amicus curiae, meaning “friend of the court,” is a person or body that is not directly involved in a case but is appointed to assist the court with legal submissions, expertise or independent assistance on issues involved in the matter.