NEW DELHI — A Delhi High Court judge issued a 115-page judgment on April 20 refusing to recuse from a criminal revision petition in the Delhi excise policy case, despite 12 grounds of apprehended bias raised by applicants including a former chief minister and former deputy chief minister.

The order addressed claims of perceived endorsement of prosecution arguments, unusual proceeding speed, and an ex parte directive issued on March 9, among others. The judge noted prior instances where relief had been granted to the applicants and their associates by the same court without objection at the time.

"The rules of natural justice must apply equally when a judge is judging a litigant and when a litigant seeks to judge a judge," the order stated. It further observed that mere unease or suspicion without foundation cannot warrant recusal, as courts would be flooded with frivolous applications otherwise.

A spokesperson for the Central Bureau of Investigation welcomed the decision, confirming the agency's revision challenging a February trial court discharge will proceed. The judge underscored that recusal would surrender institutional reputation to unsubstantiated accusations, adding that political leaders cannot damage the judiciary through insinuations lacking material.