After Kejriwal, Sisodia Declines To Proceed In Excise Case Before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has refused to pursue his case in the Delhi excise policy matter before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court, marking an escalation in the party’s ongoing confrontation with the judicial proceedings.

In a letter addressed to the judge on Tuesday, Sisodia stated that he would neither appear personally nor be represented by any counsel in the proceedings. He said that no lawyer will appear on his behalf , effectively opting out of participation in the case before the court.

Sisodia further said he does not expect justice in the matter and added that there is no alternative left except Satyagraha , indicating a protest-based approach toward the ongoing legal process. He also made a pointed remark referring to the prosecution side, saying that “your children’s future is in the hands of Tushar Mehta ,” the Solicitor General representing central investigating agencies.

The move comes a day after AAP national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a similar decision, refusing to appear before the same judge or appoint legal representation after his plea seeking recusal of Justice Sharma was rejected on 20 April.

According to multiple reports, Justice Sharma is currently hearing a CBI revision petition challenging earlier trial court findings in the excise policy case, in which both Kejriwal and Sisodia are among the accused. The AAP has also alleged a perceived conflict of interest , citing concerns over the judge’s family members being empanelled with central government legal panels, a claim that has not been accepted by the court.

Sisodia, a senior leader and one of the key accused in the high-profile investigation, has been central to the AAP government’s former exercise policy implementation. The case has seen prolonged legal proceedings involving allegations of irregularities in formulation and execution of the now-scrapped policy.

The latest developments deepen the political-legal standoff, with both top AAP leaders now refusing participation in hearings before the same bench, following repeated rejection of their recusal pleas.