Kejriwal bail hearing: Lawyers’ delegation write to CJI over ‘unprecedented practices’ in courts
The Hindu
Kejriwal bail hearing: Lawyers’ delegation write to CJI over ‘unprecedented practices’ in courts
A delegation of 150 lawyers from the Delhi High Court and District Courts on Thursday, July 4, 2024, wrote to Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, expressing concerns over what they describe as “unprecedented practices” in the Delhi High Court and District Courts.
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The lawyers’ delegation highlighted a conflict of interest involving Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain, who stayed the bail order of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. They pointed out that Justice Jain’s brother, Anurag Jain, serves as a counsel for the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
“Hon’ble Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain should have recused himself from the proceedings since his real brother is a counsel for the Enforcement Directorate. This clear conflict of interest was never declared by Hon’ble Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain,” the letter claimed.
The representation also includes the signature of advocate Sanjeev Nasiar, the head of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) legal cell.
The lawyers further stated that Justice Jain permitted the ED’s challenge to Mr. Kejriwal’s bail to be listed and ordered a stay on the execution of the bail bond even before the original bail order was officially uploaded. “Something like this has never been seen in the history of the Indian judiciary before this,” the lawyers said.
The delegation also highlighted an internal administrative order issued by the District Judge of Rouse Avenue Court directing Vacation Courts, which function during the summer break, to refrain from issuing final orders and only to issue notices for regular courts after the vacation.