The Delhi High Court has officially designated Senior Advocate Rajdipa Behura as amicus curiae to aid in the ongoing contempt of court proceedings connected to comments made against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma by key figures of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Arvind Kejriwal. This move was sanctioned by a Division Bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja.
The court is concurrently addressing a suo motu contempt case initiated by itself, alongside a related criminal contempt case. The latter accuses journalist Saurav Das and AAP leaders of orchestrating a campaign targeting Justice Sharma. Both matters have been consolidated for joint hearings.
Background of the Contempt Proceedings
The contempt cases originate from actions taken on May 14 when Justice Sharma initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against Kejriwal and other AAP members, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Durgesh Pathak. The High Court cited allegations it deemed “defamatory and vilifying,” which were propagated via social media platforms.
Justice Sharma, in her order, highlighted a “coordinated campaign” involving edited videos and public statements meant to question the court’s integrity. She emphasized that such content, some of which implicated her family, was intended to erode public trust in the judicial system.
The controversy is rooted in the Delhi Excise Policy case, where Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others face accusations. Following a denied request for her recusal on April 20, Justice Sharma initiated contempt actions. To prevent any perceived bias, she subsequently transferred the Excise Policy case to a different bench.
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Next Steps and Directions
On May 19, the Division Bench issued notices to Kejriwal, Sisodia, Singh, and others involved, directing them to submit their responses within four weeks. Additionally, the court sought a response from journalist Saurav Das and AAP’s Gopal Rai regarding the contempt plea against Justice Sharma.
The High Court’s appointment of Senior Advocate Rajdipa Behura as amicus curiae is a strategic decision aimed at ensuring comprehensive legal guidance in navigating the complexities of the contempt proceedings. The ongoing case underscores the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining its integrity and addressing attempts to undermine its authority.
