NEW DELHI: Durgesh Pathak, another Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, has decided not to participate, either personally or through a lawyer, in the ongoing excise policy case proceedings at the Delhi High Court. According to news agency PTI, Pathak has written a letter to Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, stating his refusal to appear in the matter, following the example set by party chief Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Pathak's Statement of Solidarity
"I stand with Arvind Kejriwal. I am unable to appear in this case," Pathak wrote in his letter. The former AAP MLA further added that no lawyer would represent him in the proceedings either. This move comes after Kejriwal and Sisodia had earlier written similar letters to the High Court following the rejection of their plea seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma on April 20.
Allegations of Conflict of Interest
Both Kejriwal and Sisodia have alleged a conflict of interest, claiming that the judge's children are empanelled as central government lawyers who receive work through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Mehta appeared for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the excise case. The two senior AAP leaders also visited Rajghat on Tuesday to seek the "blessings" of Mahatma Gandhi in what they termed their "Satyagraha."
Pathak's decision underscores the party's unified stance against the judicial proceedings, which they view as politically motivated. The excise policy case has been a major point of contention, with AAP leaders accusing the government of using investigative agencies to target political opponents.
