Delhi HC contempt case: BJP's Manoj Tiwari backs action against Kejriwal
Synopsis
The Delhi High Court's move to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal and senior AAP leaders — over posts and statements targeting a sitting judge — opens a new and potentially serious legal front for the party, drawing sharp political fire from BJP MP Manoj Tiwari who called it the beginning of accountability for those who 'defame judges with impunity.'
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court initiated criminal contempt proceedings against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and senior party leaders on 14 May .
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma ruled that social media posts and statements made after her refusal to recuse crossed into criminal contempt.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari welcomed the proceedings, calling them 'the beginning of accountability.' The case is linked to the Delhi Excise Policy scam , which has already resulted in multiple arrests of AAP leaders.
Kejriwal and named AAP leaders are expected to respond to the court's contempt notice in forthcoming proceedings.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and North East Delhi representative Manoj Tiwari on Thursday, 14 May welcomed the Delhi High Court's decision to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and several senior party leaders. The proceedings were triggered by objectionable remarks, social media posts, and public statements made against the judiciary in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
What the Court Decided
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma initiated the criminal contempt proceedings after concluding that social media posts, videos, and public statements directed at her — following her refusal to recuse from the matter — had crossed the boundary between fair criticism and criminal contempt. The court's order marks a significant escalation in the legal confrontation between AAP leadership and the judiciary over the excise case.
What Tiwari Said
Tiwari stated that the court's action sends an unambiguous message that no individual, regardless of political stature or self-proclaimed identity as a representative of the common man, stands above the law or the dignity of the judiciary. He characterised AAP's conduct as a 'systematic, malicious campaign' involving edited videos, defamatory letters, and coordinated social media attacks targeting sitting judges.
'This is not criticism — this is a deliberate attempt to intimidate and malign the judiciary,' Tiwari said. He added that those who have allegedly shielded corruption in the Delhi Excise Policy scam and 'run a mafia-like operation in the name of governance' would now face consequences.
BJP's Position on Judicial Independence
'Criminal contempt proceedings are not just a legal formality; they are the beginning of accountability for those who believe they can defame judges with impunity while hiding behind political power,' the BJP MP said. Tiwari reaffirmed the BJP's stated commitment to the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary, expressing full confidence in the Delhi High Court and the judicial process.
Political Messaging and What Comes Next
Tiwari also appealed to voters in Delhi, framing the contempt proceedings as a broader exposure of AAP's 'politics of lies, corruption, and attacks on institutions.' He invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance record, pledging a 'transparent, corruption-free' administration where, he said, 'every citizen is equal before the law.' The contempt proceedings are now expected to proceed before the Delhi High Court, with Kejriwal and the named AAP leaders required to respond to the court's notice. This development adds another legal front to the ongoing pressure on AAP's top leadership, which has already seen multiple arrests and bail proceedings linked to the excise policy case.
Point of View
Not political persecution, which makes it harder for AAP to mount a purely political defence. For BJP, Tiwari's swift and forceful endorsement signals that the party intends to press this narrative hard ahead of any electoral cycle in Delhi. The risk for AAP is that each new legal front — bail, trial, and now contempt — compounds the perception of institutional siege, regardless of eventual outcomes.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Delhi High Court initiated contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal?
The Delhi High Court initiated criminal contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal and senior AAP leaders because of social media posts, videos, and public statements made against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma after she refused to recuse from hearing a matter related to the Delhi excise case. The court ruled these crossed the line between fair criticism and criminal contempt.
Who is Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma and why is she at the centre of this case?
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma is the Delhi High Court judge presiding over proceedings connected to the Delhi excise policy case. She initiated the contempt action after AAP leaders publicly targeted her following her decision not to recuse herself from the matter.
What did BJP MP Manoj Tiwari say about the contempt proceedings?
Manoj Tiwari welcomed the court's decision, calling it a clear message that no one is above the law. He described AAP's conduct as a systematic campaign to intimidate and malign the judiciary, and said the proceedings represent 'the beginning of accountability' for those who defame judges under the cover of political power.
How does this relate to the Delhi excise policy case?
The Delhi excise policy case involves allegations of corruption in the framing and implementation of Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy. Several AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, have faced arrest and legal proceedings in connection with the case. The contempt action stems from statements AAP leaders made during the course of those proceedings.
What happens next in the contempt case?
The criminal contempt proceedings will now proceed before the Delhi High Court. Kejriwal and the other named AAP leaders are expected to be served notices and will need to respond formally. The case adds a new legal dimension to the pressure already facing AAP's top leadership.
