A second Delhi High Court judge on Wednesday recused from the disproportionate assets case against former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife, expressing displeasure at the couple’s lawyer.
Justice Najmi Waziri was irked at Mr. Singh’s counsel who insisted on putting the case for hearing later in the day as senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who was to argue for the former Chief Minister, was busy in another court.
As Mr. Singh’s counsel persisted, Justice Waziri said there was no urgency in the matter as personal liberty of the couple had not been affected and that it can be heard on another date.
‘Don’t throw names’
“Do not throw names at me. Why should I hear it today? What is so special about it? It is not a matter about personal liberty… Counsel should know what to say and what not to say. I will not hear the matter. List before another Bench,” Justice Waziri said.
New Bench
The judge listed the case before another Bench on February 6. The Congress veteran and his wife Pratibha Singh have challenged a trial court order to frame charges against them in the case.
The case came up before Justice Waziri on Wednesday for the first time after Justice Mukta Gupta had recused from hearing the matter on January 24 without specifying any reason.
