Kejriwal Faces Contempt Charges in Delhi High Court Over Judge Attacks

The Delhi High Court has cracked down on what it calls a 'premeditated vilification campaign' against the judiciary, launching criminal contempt action against Arvind Kejriwal and key AAP figures in the excise policy saga. Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma's strongly worded order pulls no punches. After refusing to recuse herself from the CBI's review petition against the trial court's acquittals, the judge faced a barrage of social media tirades, videos, and statements from AAP leaders. These went beyond dissent, launching personal assaults that questioned her impartiality and implicated the broader judiciary. Contempt notices target Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Vinay Mishra, and Durgesh Pathak. 'Judges endure fair criticism,' Justice Sharma noted, 'but orchestrated efforts to tarnish the institution demand response—not out of personal vendetta, but institutional duty.' Kejriwal opted for public shaming over legal appeal, disseminating letters and videos hinting at bias and hopelessness of justice from this court. The high court warned such tactics breed public distrust and anarchy. Family members were roped in to exert psychological pressure, a move the judge dismissed firmly: 'I am not intimidated. Institutions outlast individuals.' She has now stepped aside from the case to preempt bias claims, transferring it to another bench. Background: Trial court freed Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others, ruling the excise policy was a thoughtful reform without conspiracy proof. CBI contests this, claiming favoritism and kickbacks to liquor barons. Earlier, Justice Sharma stayed critical trial court comments on CBI and issued notices. This episode highlights the judiciary's resolve to draw a firm line: critique orders, not malign judges through campaigns. As political battles rage, the courts stand firm.