Delhi HC issues notice to Kejriwal, Sisodia, other AAP leaders (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notices to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, ex-deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in a criminal contempt case linked to alleged defamatory social media posts against a judge.
A division bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja sought responses from the leaders within four weeks. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for August 4.
Justice Manoj Jain to hear CBI’s plea against Arvind Kejriwal and others in excise policy case
The contempt proceedings are connected to the ongoing Delhi excise policy case, where the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has challenged a trial court order discharging Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 others.
The High Court noted that the proceedings originated from an earlier order passed by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on May 14. Justice Sharma had observed that “extremely vilifying, contemptuous and defamatory” material was allegedly circulated online against her and the court after she declined to recuse herself from hearing the matter.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the division bench directed the court registry to preserve all electronic and publication records connected to the alleged campaign.
The bench observed that the earlier order relied on social media posts, electronic records and publication materials. The court also recorded that the state had accepted the notice through the Additional Public Prosecutor.
The High Court further indicated that an amicus curiae may be appointed to assist in the proceedings.
I Won’t Be Scared: HC Judge Swarana Kanta Sharma initiates contempt action against Kejriwal
Although Justice Sharma initiated contempt proceedings, she clarified that she was not recusing herself from the excise policy matter. However, citing judicial propriety and discipline, the main case was later transferred to another bench.
Justice Manoj Jain is expected to hear the CBI’s revision plea challenging the discharge order passed earlier by the trial court.
The controversy intensified after a trial court on February 27 discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia and others in the alleged liquor policy irregularities case, stating that the prosecution’s case appeared “entirely discredited.”
Justice Sharma had also rejected pleas seeking her recusal, observing that criticism of judicial orders is permissible, but campaigns portraying judges as biased cross legal limits.
