Delhi High Court judge Justice Suwarana Kanta Sharma on Thursday said Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal had “organized a smear campaign” 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 ran a social media campaign against the court.
Justice Sharma had earlier refused to allow Kejriwal’s appeal as he sought her dismissal from hearing the CBI’s appeal against the AAP leader’s removal order. The High Court judge said earlier today that following the order under which she refused to recuse herself, the AAP’s national coordinator had “adopted the path of defamation and intimidation”.
The Supreme Court judge also said that instead of challenging the order in the Supreme Court, Kejriwal “orchestrated a smear campaign” and “withdrew the order” on social media with the aim of mocking her.
“Refuse to be intimidated”: Justice Suwarana Kanta Sharma
Justice Sharma said that after she issued the recusal order, the AAP leader posted a message on social media platform X at 10 am, announcing his decision to boycott the court proceedings. Subsequently, several members, spokespersons and office bearers of AAP also shared the letter and video, Justice Sharma said.
“The tone, content and style were not the subject of fair criticism. They ran a campaign, and the social media campaigns questioned the integrity, impartiality, ideological alignment and statements of this court,” the Supreme Court judge said. Justice Sharma said this was “an attempt to diminish the authority of this court”.
She further asked: “He (Kejriwal) has stated that an aam aadmi (common man) does not believe that this court can deliver justice. How did he assume the authority to speak on behalf of the citizens of this country?”
