Justice Sharma won’t hear excise case, to continue with contempt action against Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, others
"I refuse to be intimidated", Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said while pronouncing order in criminal contempt proceedings.
by Ashish Shaji · The Indian Express · JoinExcise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Thursday initiated criminal contempt action against AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, Vinay Mishra and Saurabh Bharadwaj in the excise policy case. The judge also said that she will not be hearing CBI’s revision plea against the discharge of Arvind Kejriwal and others in the excise policy case.
“Arvind Kejriwal orchestrated calculated campaign of vilification”, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said while pronouncing the order in criminal contempt proceedings.
Story continues below this ad
The judge said that the calculated campaign of vilification in the digital space was directed not merely against her as an individual sitting judge but against entire institution of judiciary and adjudicatory process itself.
“The unfortunate statements and conduct of Arvind Kejriwal, Respondent number 18, appears to fall within the ambit of criminal contempt as defined in the Section 2 C of the Contempt of Courts Act,” the court remarked.
It further added, “On similar grounds, Shri Manish Sisodia and Respondent number 19, Durgesh Pathak, also wrote some letters and posted some content which is also on the same lines found to be contemptuous, and it is observed that they also fall within the ambit of criminal contempt as defined under Section 2C of the Contempt of Court Acts.”
The court asserted that if action of such nature were permitted to pass without notice it may send a message that courts can be subjected to organised public pressure.
The judge also took exception to certain ‘edited’ videos of her delivering a lecture at a university in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
“Extremely vilifying, extremely contemptuous, and defamatory material is being posted by some of the respondents against me and against this court,” Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court remarked as she began the hearing of the excise policy case on Thursday. The judge said she will be initiating contempt proceedings against certain persons over the posts.
“Today I was to announce the names of the amicus that I was to appoint and I had made efforts and some senior counsel also very graciously even accepted. But in the meantime, it has come to my notice that extremely vilifying, extremely contemptuous, and defamatory material is being posted by some of the respondents against me and against this court, and I cannot stay silent. I have decided to draw contempt proceedings against some of the respondents and some other contemners,” Justice Sharma said.
Previous hearing: Earlier, the court had said that it will appoint three seniors (advocates) as amicus curiae to represent AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak in the CBI’s plea against the discharge order passed in their favour in the excise policy case. This was after Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak had written to Justice Sharma, saying that they will go unrepresented in the excise case proceedings.
Boycott: Kejriwal had written a letter to Justice Sharma, saying that he will not participate in the proceedings pending before the judge. “I have lost hope of getting justice from Justice Swarana Kanta. Therefore, I have decided to follow the path of Satyagraha as shown by Mahatma Gandhi,” he said. After Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak also wrote to Justice Sharma informing that they too will go unrepresented before her court. Justice Sharma had earlier refused to recuse herself from hearing CBI’s plea.
Recusal plea: While rejecting the recusal plea, Justice Sharma said, “If I were to accept these (recusal) applications, it would set a troubling precedent”. She also said that every unproven and unfounded accusation of bias or partiality is not merely put on an individual judge but also casts aspersions on the collective integrity of the institution of the judiciary itself. The judge said that the court will stand up for itself and for the institution when such standing is required, though it may appear difficult.
Live Updates
May 14, 2026 08:10 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Update
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has initiated criminal contempt action against AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, Vinay Mishra and Saurabh Bharadwaj in the excise policy case.
May 14, 2026 08:08 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Pronouncement ends
Pronouncement ends
May 14, 2026 08:06 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: ASG SV Raju
ASG SV Raju also requests the judge to hear the main matter
May 14, 2026 08:03 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Observations of court
Court: This is judicial discipline. Shouldn’t mean that I have recused. I am going to continue the contempt proceedings because I have drawn it.
May 14, 2026 08:02 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Observations of court
Court to SG Mehta: I have written one more para. For a judge who is being targeted, it is a very lonely battle...People don’t support you. It’s a lonely battle for the judge and the family.
May 14, 2026 08:01 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: SG Mehta requests the court to hear the main matter
SG Mehta: I am thankful for maintaining the dignity of this institution.
Court: I could have heard this case but judicial propriety demands that I should not
May 14, 2026 08:00 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: SG Mehta requests the court to hear the main matter
SG Mehta: Some narrative building exercise which will go on let it go on. This institution is strong enough
May 14, 2026 07:58 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: SG Mehta requests the court to hear the main matter
SG Mehta: No politician stooped this low
May 14, 2026 07:53 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: SG Mehta requests the court to hear the main matter
SG Mehta requests the judge to continue hearing the main matter
May 14, 2026 07:51 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: I will list this matter before chief justice so that case can be heard by another judge
May 14, 2026 07:50 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: I won’t hear the main case but deal with contempt only....Kyuki according to law jo judge contempt proceedings draw karta hain wo main case ko nahi sun sakta
Court says it will not hear the CBI's revision plea against the discharge order passed in excise policy case
May 14, 2026 07:49 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: I stand by my recusal order, won’t change a single word
May 14, 2026 07:48 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: This court had to speak not only for itself but for the institution. The moment has arrived when this court had to speak and has spoken. The question that history may ask is whether the constitutional institution in its hour of testing stood up for itself or surrendered to intimidation disguised as public discourse.
May 14, 2026 07:48 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: When judicial silence is mistaken as weakness by those who are not familiar with constitutional discipline they presume that this silence is born out of fear and not of restraint
May 14, 2026 07:46 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: If action of the nature are permitted to pass without notice it may send a message that courts can be subjected to organised public pressure
May 14, 2026 07:43 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: The court had 2 options — one to remain silent and second was to take notice of the campaign by Kejriwal and others
May 14, 2026 07:43 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: This court shall not bend, get scared
May 14, 2026 07:42 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Justice in Bharat shall remain fearless
May 14, 2026 07:41 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: No wounded pride, or hurt but the court understands that it needs to protect the from the manufactured campaigns
May 14, 2026 07:40 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: This case reminds all concerned that constitutional courts are have remained and will remain the comfortable Refuge of every citizen to raise voice against arbitrariness excess..this court is drawing these proceedings, not to seek insulation from criticism. But because the material before it reveals an attempt by the contemnors to harm the institution of judiciary itself. This court is neither seeking sympathy..
May 14, 2026 07:37 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: The acts of the proposed contemnors prima facie constitute contempt with the meaning of contempt of courts act
May 14, 2026 07:36 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: This contempt order is not born out of any anger or disrespect but because of the contemnors
May 14, 2026 07:35 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: By publicly asking what relationship a sitting judge of a high court has with a political party must be told to the public without any factual basis is no manner fair criticism of a judicial proceeding. I hold you to contempt.
May 14, 2026 07:32 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court now refers to the video posted by AAP state president Saurabh Bharadwaj
May 14, 2026 07:31 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Allegations of such nature has the tendency to scandalise therefore Vinay Mishra appears to fall within the ambit of criminal contempt
May 14, 2026 07:29 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Vinay Mishra also posted the same videos
May 14, 2026 07:29 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Even the said college also issued statements that the video was edited.
May 14, 2026 07:28 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Even fact check organisation published that the contemnors had edited and aired false videos against me
May 14, 2026 07:22 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: My video delivering a lecture at a university in Varanasi was edited and falsely projected
May 14, 2026 07:19 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: The unfortunate statements and conduct of Arvind Kejriwal, Respondent number 18, appears to fall within the ambit of criminal contempt as defined in the Section 2 C of the Contempt of Courts Act...On similar grounds, Shri Manish Sisodia and Respondent number 19, Durgesh Pathak, also wrote some letters and posted some content which is also on the same lines found to be contemptuous, and it is observed that they also fall within the ambit of criminal contempt as defined under Section 2C of the Contempt of Court Acts.
May 14, 2026 07:16 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Kejriwal says this court cannot deliver justice. How can he make a statement on behalf of the citizens of this country
May 14, 2026 07:15 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: These statements not bona fide expressions
May 14, 2026 07:15 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Kejriwal posted a video on 27.4.26 about not appearing in the court.
May 14, 2026 07:15 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: He also posted a video. Another post was published containing a video of Kejriwal informing public about his decision and reiterating allegations against this court.
May 14, 2026 07:13 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Kejriwal published the letter on social media platform X from his account
May 14, 2026 07:12 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: It questioned impartiality and integrity of this court
May 14, 2026 07:12 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Arvind Kejriwal and his party members didn’t do fair criticism but ran a campaign
May 14, 2026 07:11 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court says Kejriwal could have gone to the Supreme Court 'which he chose not to go instead he issued a letter.'
May 14, 2026 07:09 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Video of me speaking at a law college was edited.
May 14, 2026 07:08 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: I refuse to be intimidated
May 14, 2026 07:03 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Arvind Kejriwal orchestrated calculated campaign of vilification
May 14, 2026 07:02 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: My staying quiet was being considered as my surrender
May 14, 2026 07:01 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: I am telling now in Hindi because the contemnors argued the case in Hindi. They have scandalised this court while they posted things in Hindi. They have posted videos against me in Hindi and therefore it is a duty on my part as a constitutional entity.
May 14, 2026 06:59 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Lie spoken thousand times doesn’t become truth
May 14, 2026 06:59 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Even the family members of the judge were dragged into this narrative to ensure calculated humiliation.
May 14, 2026 06:56 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Calculated campaign of vilification in the digital space directed not merely against this court as an individual sitting judge but against entire institution of judiciary and adjudicatory process itself
May 14, 2026 06:55 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: While the issue inside courtroom was being dealt with to the constitutional process of adjudication. A parallel narrative outside the courtroom was constructed
May 14, 2026 06:54 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Justice Sharma pronounces order
Court: Letters, videos and coordinated social media campaign concerning the proceedings before this court... widely circulated in public domain
May 14, 2026 06:53 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Judge presides
Court: This order I am announcing in the criminal contempt proceedings
May 14, 2026 06:52 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Judge presides
Justice Sharma presides
May 14, 2026 05:32 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Update
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma to pass order at 6pm.
May 14, 2026 04:31 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Update
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma will pass a detailed order on contempt proceedings at 5:30 pm today.
May 14, 2026 04:11 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: What happened today in the hearing
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, at the outset of hearing today, said that she was to announce the names of the amicus curiae she intended to appoint and had made efforts in that regard, with some senior counsel graciously agreeing to assist the court. However, in the meantime, she said it had come to her notice that extremely vilifying, contemptuous and defamatory material was being posted by some of the respondents against her and the court. Stating that she could not remain silent on the issue, the judge said she had decided to initiate contempt proceedings against some of the respondents and certain other alleged contemners. She further said that her order was ready and would be announced around 5 pm.
May 14, 2026 02:51 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Order at 5pm
Court: My order is ready. I will be announcing it around 5pm, and then only I will decide as to whether what I will do with this case.
May 14, 2026 02:44 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Observations of court
Court: I have decided to draw contempt proceedings against some of the respondents and some other contemners.
May 14, 2026 02:44 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Observations of court
Court: But in the meantime, it has come to my notice that extremely vilifying, extremely contemptuous, and defamatory material is being posted by some of the respondents against me and against this court, and I cannot stay silent.
May 14, 2026 02:41 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Observations of court
Court: Today I was to announce the names of the amicus that I was to appoint and I had made efforts and some senior counsel also very graciously even accepted.
May 14, 2026 02:39 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: SV Raju for ED
ASG SV Raju for ED appearing through VC
May 14, 2026 02:38 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Judge presides
Judge presides
May 14, 2026 02:35 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: SG Mehta in court
SG Tushar Mehta appearing on behalf of CBI is in the courtroom
May 14, 2026 02:21 PM IST
Excise Policy Case Hearing Live Updates: Hearing at 2:30pm
The court is likely to appoint amici curiae to represent AAP leaders Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak who have decided to boycott the proceedings pending before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments