'Can't Stay Silent': Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma To Initiate Contempt Action Over 'Defamatory' Online Content Posted Against Her
Nupur Thapliyal
14 May 2026 3:02 PM IST
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court on Thursday said that she will initiate contempt proceedings against certain individuals and respondents in the excise policy case after defamatory, contemptuous and extremely vilifying things were posted against her.
The judge said so as she was about to hear CBI's petition challenging the discharge of all accused persons in the corruption case related to the alleged liquor policy scam.
The Court was set to pass an order appointing three senior advocates as amicus curiae to represent Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak— who have chosen to boycott proceedings before Justice Sharma.
At the outset, the judge told SGI Tushar Mehta:
"Mr. Mehta, today I was to announce names of amicus. I had made efforts, some seniors also accepted. But in the meantime, it has come to my notice that extremely defamatory and vilifying content is posted against me by some respondents… I have decided to take contempt action against some respondents and contemnors…. I cannot stay silent.”
The Court said that a detailed order will be passed today at 5 PM.
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
