Satheesan-Venugopal Face-Off Delays Congress Decision On Kerala Chief Minister

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said she would not hear the CBI’s appeal against the trial court order discharging former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and 22 others in the excise policy case after initiating contempt proceedings against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders over allegedly defamatory social media posts targeting her. The judge observed that once contempt proceedings are initiated, the same judge cannot continue hearing the main matter. Justice Sharma alleged that a social media campaign was carried out to question the court’s integrity and impartiality after she declined to recuse herself. She also said edited videos and posts attempted to lower the authority of the court under the guise of free speech. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, thanked the judge for upholding institutional dignity.