'Extremely vilifying': Delhi High Court to begin contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal

The judge said “extremely vilifying, extremely contemptuous, and defamatory material” targeting her was being circulated online by the respondents, amounting to a direct attack on the institution of the judiciary.

Excise policy case to be moved to another bench

Justice Sharma said the Delhi excise policy case, which she had been hearing, would now be transferred to another bench.

She clarified that while she would continue to hear the contempt matter since it concerns attacks on her family and the court, the main liquor policy case should go before another judge as a matter of judicial discipline.

“I will not take back my order on recusal, but because contempt proceedings have started, it is appropriate that the matter be transferred,” she said.

Judge alleges coordinated digital campaign

During the hearing, Justice Sharma said that while legal proceedings were taking place inside the courtroom, a “parallel narrative” was being created outside through social media.

According to the judge, a coordinated online campaign was launched using insinuations and edited content aimed at undermining the court.

“A parallel narrative was being constructed outside through digital campaign and insinuations directed at this court,” she said, adding that the campaign was carried out by contemnors “armed with political powers.”

Family members targeted, says judge

Justice Sharma said her family members were dragged into the controversy and targeted through edited videos circulated online.

“My family members were dragged and vilified with edited videos... It was to intimidate not only me but the institution of judiciary,” she observed.

Kejriwal had boycotted hearings

The latest development comes after Arvind Kejriwal had refused to attend earlier hearings before Justice Sharma, alleging bias.

In a post on X, Kejriwal said his hope of receiving justice from the judge had been shattered.

Citing the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and the spirit of Satyagraha, he said he would neither appear before the court nor present arguments in the case.

‘Silence is not always judicial restraint’

Justice Sharma said judges are trained to accept criticism and dissent, but warned that there are moments when silence becomes harmful.

“The robe worn by a judge demands calmness... However sometimes remaining silent is not judicial restraint. The moment has arrived today,” she said.

She added that the judiciary survives not through power, but through public confidence, and any organised attempt to destroy that confidence amounts to one of the gravest forms of contempt.

Other AAP leaders named

Apart from Kejriwal, the contempt case also names several other AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Durgesh Pathak, Vinay Mishra, Devesh Vishwakarma and others.

The judge also said material against certain YouTubers allegedly promoting edited videos is being collected, and a separate short order may follow.