Justice Amit Sharma of the Delhi High Court has recused himself from hearing bail applications related to the Delhi riots cases. Specifically, he stepped aside from the bail hearing of Shahrukh Pathan, a prominent figure in the riots, and Asif Iqbal Tanha, who has contested the alleged media leak of his disclosure statement.
Reasons for Recusal:
While Justice Sharma did not publicly disclose specific reasons for his recusal, such actions are generally taken to maintain impartiality and avoid any potential conflicts of interest. The recusal has introduced delays in the adjudication of these bail applications, now deferred to later dates for further hearings by different judges.
Context and Implications:
- Shahrukh Pathan Case:
- Shahrukh Pathan’s bail hearing was rescheduled to February 29, 2024. His involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots has been highly publicized, particularly due to widely circulated videos capturing his alleged actions during the violence oai_citation:1,Justice Amit Sharma recuses himself from Shahrukh Pathan’s bail hearing; matter deferred to 29th Feb (The News Minute) – Hindutva Watch oai_citation:2,Justice Amit Sharma recuses himself from Shahrukh Pathan’s bail hearing; matter deferred to 29th Feb – Muslim Mirror.
- Asif Iqbal Tanha Case:
- Justice Sharma’s recusal also affected the hearing of Asif Iqbal Tanha, who filed a petition regarding the leak of his disclosure statement to the media. The court has ordered the case to be listed before another bench, continuing the legal proceedings under different judicial oversight oai_citation:3,HC Judge Recuses from Hearing 2020 Riots Accused’s Plea over ‘Leak’ of ‘Disclosure’ Statement – Law Trend.
These recusals highlight the judiciary’s efforts to ensure fairness and impartiality in handling sensitive and high-profile cases. The decisions underscore the importance of judicial integrity and the measures taken to uphold it.