Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday visited Rajghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, a day after announcing that he would not participate in the Delhi High Court proceedings in the excise policy case.
The visit comes at a time when Kejriwal has chosen to stay away from the court process altogether, saying he will neither appear in person nor be represented by a lawyer, citing concerns over bias and conflict of interest. The move marks a sharp escalation in his stand on the case.
Kejriwal was accompanied by senior party leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Delhi Leader of Opposition Atishi.
Speaking to reporters, Kejriwal said he continues to have faith in the judiciary. “It is a matter related to the court. We respect the courts and the legal system of our country because the judiciary acquitted us and also granted us bail. I am having to do this ‘Satyagraha’ due to some circumstances which have emerged now. I have expressed these circumstances in my letter to the judge,” he said.
आज मनीष जी और अन्य साथियों के साथ राजघाट पहुँच कर राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी जी को नमन किया।
मेरी बापू से यही प्रार्थना है कि उनके दिखाए ‘सत्याग्रह’ के मार्ग पर चलने के हमारे संकल्प को वे सदैव शक्ति दें।
मेरा अटूट विश्वास है कि बापू के आशीर्वाद से, सत्याग्रह के इस कठिन पथ पर हम… pic.twitter.com/5IvQGmFQXl
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 28, 2026
Why Kejriwal is boycotting the court proceedings
A day earlier, Kejriwal had announced that he would not appear before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in the matter and would not engage legal representation either. He said the decision was inspired by Gandhi’s principle of satyagraha and that he retains the right to challenge any order in the Supreme Court at a later stage.
In a video statement, he said, “Following the path shown by Bapu, with the spirit of Satyagraha, I have now decided…that I will neither appear in person in the court of Justice Swarnkanta ji in this case, nor will any lawyer represent me. Whatever decision Justice Swarnkanta ji delivers, I am free to take all those legal steps when the time comes, such as challenging it in the Supreme Court.”
He also outlined his objections, alleging ideological bias and conflict of interest. Referring to the judge’s past associations, he questioned whether he could receive a fair hearing. He further cited what he described as a conflict involving the central government’s legal apparatus and the professional roles of the judge’s family members.
Sisodia echoes Kejriwal’s stand
Separately, Sisodia also wrote to Justice Sharma, stating that he would not be represented by a lawyer and expressing doubt over getting justice.
“From my side as well, no lawyer will appear. The future of your children is in the hands of Tushar Mehta ji. In such a situation, I do not expect justice from you. I have no option left except Satyagraha,” Sisodia said in his letter.