Delhi High Court Issues Criminal Contempt Notice To Arvind Kejriwal, AAP Leaders Over Posts Against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma
Nupur Thapliyal
19 May 2026 11:29 AM IST
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to ex-CM Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party in the criminal contempt proceedings initiated for allegedly vilifying Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma through a targeted campaign across social media platforms.
A division bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja has asked all the alleged contemnors to file their responses within four weeks.
Meanwhile, it has asked the Registry to preserve copies of the 'derogatory' material, which led to initiation of contempt.
"In the judgment single judge has placed reliance of material in form of social media posts and electronic record and publication record. Registry to preserve copies of same and place them before this court," it ordered.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma was hearing the CBI's plea against discharge of all accused in the excise policy case. She has now transferred the matter to another bench.
The transfer was done after she initiated contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Vinay Mishra, Durgesh Pathak and Saurabh Bharadwaj.
Contempt action was initiated after Justice Sharma took note of note various social media posts and videos shared by the respondents in connection with the recusal proceedings.
She had earlier rejected the recusal applications like by Kejriwal and others.
On February 27, the trial court discharged all the 23 accused persons in the case, including political leaders Kejriwal, Sisodia and K Kavitha. The trial court had also severely criticised the CBI's investigation in the case.
It may be noted that the case had become politically controversial, as Kejriwal was arrested and remanded to the custody amidst the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He was later granted bail by the Supreme Court after 156 days of custody. AAP leader Manish Sisodia also spent 530 days in custody in the case.
The CBI's revision against the trial court's order was heard by Justice Sharma, who on March 9, prima facie observed that the trial court's observations were erroneous.
Later, Kejriwal and some other accused, including Sisodia, filed applications seeking recusal of Justice Sharma on ground of apprehension of bias. Last week, Justice Sharma, dismissed the recusal applications and decided to hear the matter herself.
Thereafter, Kejriwal and Sisodia wrote to Justice Sharma stating that they are boycotting the hearing before her and will not appear, either in person or through a counsel.
Case Title: CBI v. Kuldeep Singh & Ors
