Explained: How judges recuse from cases, and why

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Synopsis: Recently, two Supreme Court (SC) judges have recused themselves from hearing cases relating to West Bengal. 

What is the recusal of judges? 

  • Recusal is the removal of oneself as a judge or policymaker in a particular matter. 

Why does a judge recuse?  

The judges usually recuse themselves when there is a Conflict of Interest: 

  • Conflict of Interest: It can occur in many ways, such as, holding shares in a company that is a litigant to having a prior or personal association with a party involved in the case. 
  • As the judges have a duty to act fair, they recuse from the case. 
  • Another instance for recusal is when an appeal is filed in the Supreme Court against a judgement of a High Court that may have been delivered by the SC judge when he or she was in the HC. 

Source: Indian Express 

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