New Delhi:
The Delhi High Court will begin contempt proceedings against Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and other senior leaders of his party including Manish Sisodia, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said today. “Extremely vilifying, extremely contemptuous, and defamatory material” about her was being posted online by the respondents, which amounted to an attack on the judiciary, the judge said.
Justice Sharma said the excise policy case will be heard by a different bench. She meanwhile, will hear the contempt case, since it concerns her family. The judge said she would not take back her order on the recusal, but because she has started contempt proceedings, it is appropriate that the matter is transferred to some other judge — “This is judicial discipline”.
The judge, who was hearing the Delhi liquor case, said while the hearings are in progress inside, a “coordinated campaign” had started on social media.
“A parallel narrative was being constructed outside through digital campaign and insinuations directed at this court… It was a coordinated campaign” by contemnors “armed with political powers” she said.
“My family members were dragged and vilified with edited videos… It was to intimidate not only me but the institution of judiciary,” added the judge, who had refused to recuse herself in the liquor policy case after Kejriwal’s claim that she was biased.
“Instead of carrying the order of this court to Supreme Court, Arvind Kejriwal carried it to social media. My videos of speaking at a law college was edited… I had two options — get intimidated by person with political power or initiate contempt. I Have Chosen To Initiate
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