NEW DELHI— In a dramatic escalation of the legal battle surrounding the Delhi excise policy case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia have announced a total boycott of proceedings in the court of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma. Terming their decision a “Satyagraha,”the leaders declared that neither they nor their legal teams will appear for future hearings in this matter.
The announcement came shortly after Kejriwal and Sisodia, accompanied by Leader of the Opposition Atishi, visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
PHOTO BY ANI
The ‘Voice of Conscience’ Letter
In a detailed four-page letter addressed to Justice Sharma, the Delhi Chief Minister stated that his decision to withdraw was driven by his “conscience.” Kejriwal emphasized that while the move might harm his legal interests, he is prepared to face the consequences.
“Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done,”Kejriwal wrote, reiterating a stance his legal team had previously argued in court.
He further noted that because the court characterized his earlier request for the judge’s recusal as an “institutional affront,”he believes the possibility of a fair and impartial hearing has been extinguished. However, he clarified that he reserves the right to challenge the court’s decisions in the Supreme Court.
Sisodia Echoes Defiance
Manish Sisodia mirrored Kejriwal’s sentiments in his own correspondence, expressing a lack of faith in the current judicial setup for this case. “The future of your children lies in the hands of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta,”Sisodia wrote. “Under these circumstances, I have no hope for justice. No path remains other than Satyagraha.”
Root of the Conflict
The standoff stems from a CBI appeal challenging a trial court’s verdict that acquitted all 23 accused, including Kejriwal, in the high-profile excise policy scam case.
The relationship between the defense and the bench soured over the last two weeks:
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April 13: Kejriwal personally requested Justice Sharma to recuse herself from the hearing.
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April 20: The court dismissed the plea, observing that high-profile politicians cannot be permitted to “sow distrust” in the judicial institution.
By citing the examples of Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Atul Sridharan—who previously sought transfers to avoid perceived conflicts—Kejriwal argued that his request was aimed at upholding judicial sanctity rather than insulting it.
With both top leaders of the AAP now refusing to participate, the CBI’s appeal enters uncharted legal territory, shifting the battle from the courtroom to a high-stakes political protest.
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