As part of the Delhi High Court’s annual roster reshuffle following the summer vacation, Justice Manoj Jain has been assigned to hear criminal matters concerning sitting and former Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) with effect from July 1, 2026.
The designated MP/MLA criminal roster, which primarily deals with criminal proceedings involving elected representatives, including bail applications, criminal revisions, petitions and other matters, was previously presided over by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. The redistribution of judicial work formed part of the High Court’s routine administrative exercise undertaken after the summer recess.
As part of her tenure on the designated roster, Justice Sharma dealt with several politically significant and high-profile criminal matters involving public representatives. Among the notable cases heard by her Bench were proceedings arising out of the alleged Delhi Excise Policy irregularities involving former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
During those proceedings, Kejriwal chose not to participate in hearings before Justice Sharma’s Bench. The Court subsequently initiated contempt proceedings against him and certain others in relation to their conduct during the judicial process.
The designated MP/MLA roster has been constituted to facilitate the expeditious disposal of criminal cases involving legislators, in line with judicial directions aimed at ensuring the timely adjudication of proceedings against elected representatives. The roster hears a wide range of criminal matters assigned to the High Court involving sitting and former MPs & MLAs.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has now been assigned to hear civil writ petitions under the revised roster.
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