Contempt Case Updates: AAP Leaders and Journalist Delete Social Media Posts
In a recent development at the Delhi High Court, it was reported that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and journalist Saurav Das, have deleted social media posts directed against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. Advocate Ashok Chaitanya, who initiated a criminal contempt of court case against Das and the AAP leaders, informed the court of this action on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, Chaitanya addressed a Bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja, confirming the removal of the contentious posts. “They [respondents] appear to have deleted the material which I have placed reliance on. But I recorded. That is available with me… I may be allowed to place the electronic record,” Chaitanya requested, to which the Bench agreed.
Background of the Contempt Case
While Chaitanya did not specify the precise contemnors during the court session, he later confirmed to Bar & Bench that the individuals in question were Das, Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Gopal Rai. However, Bar & Bench observed that some posts remained accessible online.
The core issue in the contempt case revolves around a post by Das on X (formerly Twitter) and the subsequent reactions by AAP leaders. On April 9, Das alleged a conflict of interest involving Justice Sharma, who was hearing the CBI’s appeal against the discharge of Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others in the excise policy case. Das claimed that Justice Sharma’s children were empaneled by the Central government before the High Court and the Supreme Court. Kejriwal responded to Das’s post with, “Is this true? V v explosive,” while Bharadwaj and Rai echoed concerns over impartiality.
Legal Proceedings and Future Hearings
The Delhi High Court also addressed the suo motu contempt proceedings against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders. Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari, representing Kejriwal, argued that the materials prompting the contempt charges had not been provided to them. Counsel for Sisodia, Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh, and Durgesh Pathak echoed similar sentiments.
Consequently, the court instructed its registry to supply the necessary materials to the respondents, allowing them four weeks to submit their replies. The next hearing is scheduled for September 21.
The initiation of the contempt case against Kejriwal, Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Durgesh Pathak dates back to May 14, when Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma took note of their social media posts and letters that questioned her impartiality in the ongoing excise policy case. The case is now being overseen by a bench led by Justice Chawla.
Meanwhile, Chaitanya’s criminal contempt case, filed with the consent of Delhi government’s Additional Standing Counsel (Criminal), Sanjeev Bhandari, accuses Kejriwal, Das, Bharadwaj, and Rai of orchestrating a “concerted and orchestrated campaign” on social media, disseminating baseless and scandalous accusations against Justice Sharma.
