Supreme Court judge recuses himself from case after reserving judgment

New Delhi: Supreme Court Judge KV Viswanathan recused himself from the case after the hearing ended and reserved the verdict, a rare case of recusal during the sentencing phase.Justice Viswanathan was one of the country’s leading advocates and had a well-established practice before being elevated to the Supreme Court, where he represented numerous clients in numerous cases during his 35 years of practice.While ruling on a petition filed by Alchemist Asset Reconstruction Company Pvt Ltd (AARC), a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Viswanathan had on March 17 reserved its ruling. However, Judge Viswanathan later learned that he had appeared as counsel for AARC. Justice Viswanathan immediately recused himself and the bench recalled its March 17 order and asked the CJI to reconstitute the bench for a fresh hearing in the case.“The matter was heard and the judgment was reserved. After the judgment was reserved, it was brought to the attention of Hon’ble KV Viswanathan…whose Hon’ble had appeared as counsel for the appellant in the corporate insolvency resolution proceedings…In these circumstances, the order dated March 17 is quashed,” the bench said.