A day after Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal wrote to the Delhi High Court saying he would not be represented by a lawyer in the excise policy case, senior party leader Manish Sisodia followed with a similar letter on Tuesday, aligning himself with the “Satyagraha” path and expressing doubts over getting justice.
The move marks a clear shift from courtroom engagement to a political and moral stance, even as the case remains under judicial scrutiny and could have legal consequences for both leaders.
Both leaders also announced a visit to Raj Ghat at noon to seek Mahatma Gandhi’s blessings, reinforcing the symbolic protest.
Both leaders have communicated to the Delhi High Court that they will neither appear in person nor be represented by lawyers before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, citing concerns over fairness in the proceedings, while maintaining that their faith in the judiciary remains intact.
Why Kejriwal and Sisodia are refusing legal representation
A day after Kejriwal wrote to the court outlining his decision, Sisodia followed with a similar letter.
Sisodia described the decision as one “rooted in conscience” rather than hostility towards the judiciary, saying his respect for the courts “remains undiminished” even as he steps back from the proceedings.
Sisodia said, “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”
He added that he was in “respectful agreement” with Kejriwal’s stand and that the concerns raised in the earlier communication weighed equally on his mind.
“A litigant may sometimes have to choose between convenience and conscience,” Sisodia wrote, adding that he was prepared to face any legal consequences of his decision.
In a separate post on X, Kejriwal said he would visit Raj Ghat with Sisodia at noon to seek “Bapu’s blessings”, reinforcing the symbolic link to the Gandhian protest.
आज बापू का आशीर्वाद लेने के लिए मैं और मनीष सिसोदिया जी 12 बजे राजघाट जाएँगे
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 28, 2026
Kejriwal had earlier said in a video that he would not participate in proceedings before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, adding that he would explore legal remedies, including approaching the Supreme Court, at an appropriate stage.
Court had rejected recusal plea earlier
The development comes shortly after the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal’s plea seeking the judge’s recusal.
The matter relates to a criminal revision petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the trial court’s discharge of all accused in the excise policy case.
The court held that the allegations did not meet the threshold of a reasonable apprehension of bias and were based on conjecture.
In its order, the court observed that “the courtroom cannot become a theatre of perception” and warned that allowing such pleas without substantive material could weaken institutional credibility.
It also clarified that a judge cannot be asked to step aside merely on perceived bias, especially in the absence of a direct conflict of interest.
What concerns Kejriwal and Sisodia have raised
In his letter, Kejriwal reiterated concerns about what he described as the judge’s association with certain legal organisations and raised questions about a possible conflict of interest linked to her children being empanelled as counsel for the Union government.
He also referred to the role of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in allocating cases to panel lawyers, suggesting that such factors could create a perception of bias in a politically sensitive matter.
Sisodia, in his letter shared on X, echoed similar reservations. He said his decision was guided by conscience and not directed at any individual, adding that “justice must not only be fair, but must also appear to be fair.”
“With the utmost respect and regard, I have written a letter to the Honorable Justice Swarnkanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court, requesting that, under the present circumstances, my conscience does not permit me to participate further in the proceedings of this case before her. For me, this is not a question of any particular individual, but rather of the trust upon which the justice system is built – that justice must not only be fair, but must also appear to be fair to every citizen.”
“I also wish to make it clear that my faith in the judiciary and the Constitution remains completely unshaken. But when serious doubts linger in the mind, mere formal participation is not right for me. Therefore, I am left with no path but Satyagraha…” he added.
He further questioned whether greater disclosure and caution were required in a case of such political sensitivity, pointing to what he described as past instances where judges had recused themselves to uphold judicial ethics.
पूरे सम्मान और आदर के साथ, मैंने दिल्ली हाई कोर्ट की माननीय जस्टिस स्वर्णकांता शर्मा जी को पत्र लिखकर निवेदन किया है कि, वर्तमान परिस्थितियों में, मेरी अंतरात्मा मुझे इस मामले की कार्यवाही में उनके समक्ष, आगे भाग लेने की अनुमति नहीं देती।
मेरे लिए यह किसी व्यक्ति विशेष का… pic.twitter.com/RHesthiBTG
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) April 28, 2026
AAP frames move as moral stand
The AAP has maintained that its leaders’ decision is not an act of defiance but a principled stand.
Kejriwal, while addressing the court earlier, had said his faith in the judiciary remains, even as he expressed apprehension about fairness in the present case.
Party leaders have framed the move as part of a larger political and legal battle, with Sisodia stating that his agreement with Kejriwal’s stand is rooted in the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.