Manish Sisodia Boycotts Liquor Policy Hearing Amid Fairness Concerns
In a major development, Manish Sisodia boycotts liquor policy hearing before the Delhi High Court. He informed Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma that neither he nor his legal team will participate in further proceedings in the excise policy case.
The move comes a day after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal took a similar stand in the same matter.
According to Sisodia’s letter, his concerns regarding the impartiality of the Bench remain unresolved. He stated that his doubts over receiving a fair hearing continue despite the earlier recusal plea being rejected.
Manish Sisodia Boycotts Liquor Policy Hearing In Delhi HC
Sisodia reportedly wrote to Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma and conveyed that he had lost confidence in the fairness of the proceedings.
He said he would neither appear personally nor instruct any advocate to appear on his behalf in the matter.
Further, he referred to concerns previously raised regarding the judge’s public appearances at certain legal events and the alleged professional links of family members with government law panels.
However, the Court had earlier rejected the recusal application filed by Kejriwal, Sisodia, and other accused in the case.
Justice Sharma had observed that a litigant cannot place the judiciary on trial based on personal apprehensions.
Background Of The Delhi Liquor Policy Cas
The matter relates to the Delhi excise policy case, one of the most closely watched legal and political cases in India.
Earlier this year, a trial court discharged Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and other accused persons after finding insufficient material to proceed.
Subsequently, the CBI challenged that discharge before the Delhi High Court.
As a result, the High Court began hearing the revision petition.
Much of the recent proceedings have focused on the recusal controversy and the accused leaders’ objections to the Bench.
Political And Legal Impact
Sisodia’s decision is likely to deepen the legal and political standoff surrounding the liquor policy case.
Moreover, it mirrors Kejriwal’s earlier boycott, which had already triggered intense debate over judicial impartiality and legal strategy.
Legal experts say the Delhi High Court may now consider procedural options regarding continued hearings in the absence of the accused and their counsel.
Meanwhile, the development is expected to further intensify the political confrontation between the AAP and its rivals.
The case remains central to the ongoing legal battle over the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
This development comes shortly after Arvind Kejriwal boycotts liquor policy hearing,
The Delhi liquor policy case relates to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22, introduced by the AAP government. The policy shifted retail liquor sales from government-run outlets to private licensees before it was later scrapped.
Manish Sisodia was the then Deputy Chief Minister and held the excise portfolio when the policy was introduced. Investigative agencies later alleged irregularities in its formulation and implementation.
Arvind Kejriwal became linked to the case after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s excise policy. Investigative agencies claimed that senior AAP leaders were involved in decisions related to the now-scrapped policy.
