14 May,2026 09:04 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. FILE PIC
The Delhi High Court on Thursday initiated criminal contempt proceedings against former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and several other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, observing that a "coordinated campaign" had been carried out to scandalise the judiciary in connection with the excise policy case, news agency IANS reported.
Passing a detailed order, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said the social media posts, videos, and public statements made against her after she refused to recuse from hearing the matter had crossed the line between fair criticism and criminal contempt.
"The contemnors did not merely express disagreement but carried out a campaign of vilification not only against this sitting judge but the entire judiciary," Justice Sharma observed.
Apart from Kejriwal, the court issued contempt notices against former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh, and AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Vinay Mishra, and Durgesh Pathak.
Justice Sharma said that while judges are trained to accept fair criticism and dissent, "remaining silent is not judicial restraint" when a calculated attempt is made to scandalise the judiciary.
"This court is not demanding sympathy or immunity from criticism. But if attempts are made to damage the institution of the judiciary through coordinated campaigns, the court has the power and duty to act," the judge said.
The court observed that while criticism of judicial orders was permissible, there existed "a very thin line" between fair criticism and contempt of court. Justice Sharma noted that Kejriwal, instead of challenging the recusal order before the Supreme Court, chose to "carry the matter to social media" by publishing letters and videos questioning her impartiality.
According to the court, the conduct amounted to an attempt to create public distrust in the judiciary and "would lead to anarchy" if left unchecked. The judge further remarked that even members of her family were dragged into the controversy as part of a "psychological coercion" campaign.
"I refuse to be intimidated," Justice Sharma said, adding that remaining silent would have amounted to "surrender".
She clarified that the contempt proceedings were not motivated by personal anger but were aimed at protecting the institution of the judiciary. "Judges may come and go, but the institution of justice will remain. The judiciary in India shall remain fearless," she said.
In light of the initiation of contempt proceedings, Justice Sharma also recused herself from further hearing the excise policy case.
(With IANS inputs)
