Delhi HC Chief Justice recuses from hearing plea against AAP

The party allegedly received foreign funds in violation of law

Delhi High Court Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Manmohan today recused themselves from hearing a PIL seeking lodging of a criminal case against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and some of its members for allegedly receiving foreign funds in violation of law.

The two-judge bench recused from hearing advocate M L Sharma's PIL which also sought seizure of accounts and funds secured by the members of AAP.

"There is something in the petition due to which I cannot hear the matter," Justice Ramana said and transferred the matter to another bench for Friday.

Sharma, in his plea, cited some names including that of Kejriwal and said, "A direction to be issued to register a criminal case against the respondents (AAP members) under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and to conduct a day-to-day trial proceedings within supervision of the court in the interest of justice."

The plea said that the Act prohibits any fundings from foreign countries for a political party.