Sisodia joins Kejriwal in boycotting the Excise case hearings before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, saying he fully understands the consequences of his stand. He added, “I too accept Gandhi ji’s principle of Satyagraha and accept that burden.” today
After Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Manish Sisodia wrote to Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma on Tuesday, stating that neither he nor any lawyer would represent him in the excise policy case hearings.
Sisodia, like Kejriwal, alleged that the judge’s children are empanelled as lawyers for the central government, which is represented in court by solicitor general Tushar Mehta.
He said in his letter,
“I am aware that some may misread such a step as an attack on the judiciary. I would against reiterate: this is incorrect. Constitutional maturity would have it that one may disagree with a particular course being followed in a particular case without losing faith in the institution as a whole. My respect for the judiciary remains undiminished. It is precisely because courts occupy so vital a place in our constitutional life that circumstances capable of shaking public confidence must be treated with the utmost seriousness,”
In his letter He said that He said he had carefully studied the letter sent by Mr. Arvind Kejriwal to the same Bench on 27 April 2026.
After reading it, he found himself in “respectful agreement with the stand taken by him, which is based on Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings on Satyagraha.”
Sisodia noted that he does not want to repeat everything already stated by Mr. Kejriwal but said that “the troubling concerns flagged there are concerns that weigh upon my mind as well.“
Sisodia emphasised,
“I intend no discourtesy to Your Ladyship. I harbour no ill will toward Your Ladyship or your family.”
But he said circumstances have become so grave that his conscience no longer allows him to proceed. Remaining silent or participating would amount to a form of surrender of conscience.
He concluded that for reasons similar to those in Mr. Kejriwal’s letter,
“I respectfully state that I too shall not participate in further proceedings in this matter before this Hon’ble Court, whether personally or through counsel.”
Sisodia wrote that he fully understands the consequences and said,
“I too accept Gandhi ji’s principle of Satyagraha and accept that burden.”
He said a litigant must sometimes choose between conscience and convenience, and in this case, “my conscience too leaves me with no dignified alternative.”
He clarified that his decision is limited to the present case and circumstances. He said it should not be understood as a general refusal to appear before the judge in future matters, nor as distrust in the judiciary.
He said,
“My faith in the Constitution and the institution of the Court remains firm.”
However, he added that continuing with this matter before the same Bench is continuing to generate graver and graver public doubt over Your Ladyship’s impartiality, and therefore,
“I must, respectfully, dissent.”
A day earlier, Kejriwal had announced a similar decision to boycott the hearings before Justice Sharma in the Delhi High Court.
In a four-page letter, Kejriwal said he would not appear in person or through counsel in the excise policy case before her court.
Arvind Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister of Delhi, said he will not appear before Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who is hearing a plea challenging his acquittal in the excise policy case.
In a letter to the judge, Kejriwal said he has lost faith in her ability to deliver justice. His letter comes days after Justice Sharma rejected a recusal plea filed by Kejriwal in the matter.
Kejriwal accused the judge of having a conflict of interest, alleging that Justice Sharma’s children—who work as panel lawyers for the central government have professional links with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is appearing against him in the case.
The matter originates from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) appeal against a trial court order that had earlier acquitted Kejriwal and several other accused in the excise policy case.
The High Court issued notice on the CBI’s petition and indicated that some observations made by the lower court appeared, at least at first sight, to be flawed leading to renewed legal proceedings.
However, Kejriwal has consistently argued that the case is politically driven and has repeatedly raised concerns about the fairness of the process.
Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal has filed an application before the Delhi High Court seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. Through this application, Kejriwal has requested that Justice Sharma should not hear the case.
Additionally, Kejriwal’s this move comes a few days after Justice Sharma refused to step aside from the Delhi excise policy matter, dismissing the AAP leader’s allegations of bias and conflict of interest.
In a sharply worded ruling, the court reaffirmed the principle of judicial independence and rejected the contention that the proceedings would be unfair or lack impartiality.
Justice Sharma said while pronouncing her decision,
“My oath is to the Constitution. My oath has taught me that justice does not bend under pressure. Justice does not yield to any pressure. I will decide and adjudicate fearlessly without any bias. I will not recuse from this case,”
She also said there is a presumption that judges act impartially, and that such a presumption can be overturned only by concrete evidence something she noted was missing from Kejriwal’s application.
Click Here To Read Letter Written to Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma by Manish Sisodia
Click Here To Read Letter Written to Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma by Arvind Kejriwal
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