Delhi High Court Issues Notice To Kejriwal, Sisodia In Contempt Case Over Social Media Posts Against Judge
Delhi High Court issued notice to Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in a suo motu contempt case over alleged social media campaign against a sitting judge
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Durgesh Pathak, Vinay Mishra, and Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged contemnors in the suo motu criminal contempt proceedings initiated over a purported social media campaign targeting Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.
A division bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja took up the matter and directed the alleged contemnors to file their responses within four weeks.
The contempt proceedings stem from a May 14 order passed by Justice Sharma, in which she took note of several social media posts, videos and online publications allegedly aimed at scandalising the court and undermining the judiciary in connection with proceedings arising out of the excise policy corruption case.
At the outset of the hearing, the bench asked, “Anyone appearing?”
The Court thereafter observed: “On basis of judgment of May 14 passed by single judge of this Court…, issue notice to alleged contemnors.”
The bench further directed the High Court registry to preserve all electronic records and social media material relied upon in the single judge’s order.
“In the judgment single judge has placed reliance on 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,” the bench ordered.
The Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) accepted notice on behalf of the State. The Court also decided to appoint an amicus curiae to assist in the matter, with the name of the advocate to be reflected in the detailed order.
After brief proceedings, the matter was adjourned to August 4 for further hearing.
The proceedings stem from alleged “defamatory and vilifying” remarks made against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who was hearing the CBI’s challenge to the discharge of Kejriwal and other accused in the excise policy case. Justice Sharma took note of the allegations and initiated contempt proceedings against the AAP leaders. Following this, she also directed that the excise policy case be transferred to another Bench, given that Kejriwal and Sisodia are accused in the matter.
The controversy arose after Kejriwal, Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak sought Justice Sharma’s recusal from the case. The judge, however, rejected the application on April 20, observing that a litigant cannot be permitted to undermine judicial authority or “sow seeds of mistrust” against the institution.
Subsequently, social media posts targeting the judge surfaced, prompting the initiation of contempt proceedings. Justice Sharma also took note of letters written by Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak indicating a boycott of proceedings, as well as a video released by Kejriwal explaining the reasons for the boycott.
It is to be noted that the Central Bureau of Investigation’s petition challenging the discharge of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other accused in the corruption case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam will also be heard by Justice Manoj Jain on May 19.
Case Title: Court on its own motion v. Arvind Kejriwal and Ors.
Bench: Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja
Hearing Date: May 19, 2026