Sisodia boycotts Delhi HC hearing in liquor policy case
In the ongoing liquor policy case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia has informed the Delhi High Court that he will not participate in further proceedings before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. His decision comes days after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a similar stance.
In a letter addressed to the judge, Sisodia said his move is guided by Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of Satyagraha, adding that his conscience leaves him with no alternative. He clarified that his decision is limited strictly to the excise policy case and should not be interpreted as a general refusal to appear before the court or as a lack of faith in the judiciary.
Justice Sharma is currently hearing revision petitions filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging a trial court order that discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and other accused in the alleged liquor policy corruption case.
Earlier, both Kejriwal and Sisodia had sought the judge’s recusal, citing apprehensions of bias. However, Justice Sharma dismissed those pleas last week and chose to continue hearing the matter.
In his letter, Sisodia pointed to two key concerns: Justice Sharma’s participation in events organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad and the professional engagements of her children with multiple Union government panels. He stressed that his concerns are not about wrongdoing but about maintaining public confidence in judicial impartiality.
He reiterated that his decision should not be seen as an attack on the judiciary, underlining that disagreement with a specific proceeding does not amount to distrust of the institution. Sisodia said his respect for the courts remains intact, but continuing in the case despite his doubts would go against his conscience.
Echoing Kejriwal’s position, Sisodia stated that he cannot, in good faith, take part in proceedings while harbouring concerns about the appearance of impartial justice.
