The Delhi High Court has given former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders a four-week period to respond to a criminal contempt case. This case was initiated by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma due to alleged defamatory social media posts aimed at her. The court’s decision was announced on Monday.
On February 27, a trial court discharged Kejriwal and others in the excise policy case, prompting the CBI to approach the high court. On March 9, Justice Sharma stayed the trial court’s direction for departmental action against a CBI officer and deferred Enforcement Directorate (ED) proceedings.
“The respondents are permitted to approach the registrar. Let the replies be filed by the respondents in four weeks,” the court said in its order, while fixing November 16 as the next date of hearing. However, on May 14, justice Sharma initiated contempt proceedings and withdrew herself, stating that the law did not permit a judge who has initiated contempt proceedings over allegedly defamatory, contemptuous and vilifying material posted against the judge on social media – in relation to a matter to continue hearing that very matter.
