LegalNews – Delhi High Court Proceedings Intensify in Excise Policy Matter
LegalNews – The legal proceedings linked to the Delhi excise policy case witnessed fresh developments after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party formally joined the ongoing case before the Delhi High Court. The matter gained attention days after Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma initiated criminal contempt proceedings over alleged social media remarks targeting the judge and subsequently recused herself from hearing the case.
Fresh Representation Filed Before New Bench
The Delhi High Court on Monday scheduled July 16 for hearing a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation challenging a trial court decision that discharged several accused, including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak, in the liquor policy case.
The matter is now being heard by Justice Manoj Jain following Justice Sharma’s withdrawal from the proceedings. During the hearing, the court noted that the three AAP leaders had submitted documents authorising legal representatives to appear on their behalf. The judge also indicated that a detailed hearing schedule for all parties would be prepared during the next court session.
Earlier, on April 20, Justice Sharma had rejected applications seeking her recusal from the matter. Following that decision, Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak informed the court that they would refrain from appearing either personally or through legal counsel, stating that they intended to follow what they described as Mahatma Gandhi’s path of “Satyagraha.”
Contempt Proceedings Continue Separately
At the same time, a separate bench of the Delhi High Court comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja is continuing to hear the contempt-related petition connected to alleged online remarks against Justice Sharma.
The petition alleges that a coordinated social media campaign was carried out while Kejriwal’s request seeking the judge’s recusal was still pending before the court. According to the plea, the campaign attempted to create public pressure on a sitting judge through online commentary and allegations questioning judicial impartiality.
Recently, the bench also issued notices to senior AAP leader Gopal Rai and journalist Saurav Das in connection with the matter. The petition accused them of making statements and social media posts that allegedly suggested bias and conflict of interest involving Justice Sharma.
Political and Legal Attention Around the Case
The excise policy case has remained one of the most closely followed legal and political matters in the national capital over the past several months. The ongoing court proceedings continue to attract attention due to the involvement of prominent political leaders and the broader questions surrounding judicial conduct, public commentary and legal accountability.
The High Court’s upcoming hearings are expected to focus on both the challenge to the discharge order and the contempt allegations linked to social media activity surrounding the case.
Other Significant Court Developments
In another matter before the Delhi High Court, Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, filed a petition challenging the blocking of the party’s account on the social media platform X. The government reportedly restricted access to the account citing concerns related to national security.
Separately, lawyers practicing in the Delhi High Court abstained from work on Monday to protest a proposed increase in the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts. Due to the boycott, hearings in several matters were affected as many advocates chose not to appear before the benches.
Meanwhile, a Delhi court convicted Alka Lamba in a case connected to an alleged assault on police personnel during a protest held at Jantar Mantar in 2024. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwani Panwar delivered the order in the matter, where Lamba was accused of obstructing police officials during the demonstration.