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'Orchestrated vilification campaign': HC judge Swarana Sharma's salvo at Kejriwal on contempt proceedings
Justice Sharma had earlier refused to allow Kejriwal's plea wherein he had sought her recusal from hearing the CBI's appeal against his discharge.
Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Thursday said Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal had “orchestrated a campaign of vilification” on social media against her order.
The Delhi HC judge initiated criminal contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and former AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak while stating that they had carried out a social media campaign against the court.
Justice Sharma had earlier refused to allow Kejriwal's plea wherein he had sought her recusal from hearing the CBI's appeal against the AAP leader's discharge order. The high court judge earlier today said that following the order wherein she refused to recuse herself, the AAP national convenor had “adopted the route of vilification and intimidation.”
The high court judge further said that instead of challenging the order before the Supreme Court, Kejriwal had “orchestrated a campaign of villification” and “dragged the order” on social media with the intention to ridicule her.
‘Refuse to be initimidated’: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma
Justice Sharma said that after she delivered the order on the recusal, the AAP leader had posted a letter on social media platform X at 10 am, announcing his decision to boycott the court proceedings. After this, she said, several members, spokespersons and office bearers of AAP also shared the letter and the video, Justice Sharma said.
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“The tone, tenor and manner were not of fair criticism. They have run a campaign, and the social media campaigns questioned the integrity, impartiality of this court, ideological alignment and statements were circulated,” the high court judge said. Justice Sharma said this was an “attempt to lower the authority of this court.”
She further questioned, “He (Kejriwal) stated that aam aadmi (common man) can't believe that this court can do justice. How did he assume authority to speak on behalf of citizens of this country?”
The Delhi HC judge also took exception to AAP leader Sanjay Singh's posts on X, wherein he had said there was “no hope for justice” from the court. “The statements are clear attempt to portray this court as inclined to a public apology. This also falls in the ambit of criminal contempt,” Justice Sharma said.
‘Case will be heard by other bench…will draw contempt proceedings’
Justice Sharma said she would “stand by her” order on Kejriwal's plea seeking her recusal from hearing the case. However, the judge said she would place the matter before the Delhi HC chief justice for CBI's appeal against Kejriwal's discharge to be heard by any other court.
“I reiterate that i stand by the recusal order. I do not change the word. I had to stand up for this institiution and I had. This case will be heard by any other bench and I will draw contempt proceedings because as per law, the judge who draws contempt proceedings cannot hear the main case. Recusal stands as it is.”
Justice Sharma said that the order was not written out of “anger” or “ill will” but was the result of the actions of the contemnors. “For a judge who is being targeted, it is a very lonely battle. People do not support you. It is a lonely battle for the judge and the family,” she said.
