Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court initiated contempt proceedings against former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Manish Sisodia, for allegedly making defamatory remarks on social media. The judge withdrew from hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) appeal regarding the excise policy case, stating that a judge who initiates contempt proceedings cannot continue with the main case. She clarified that her earlier decision to not recuse herself from the excise case still stands. Justice Sharma expressed concern that allowing the CBI's appeal to continue could lead to perceptions of bias, given the ongoing contempt issues. Kejriwal responded by claiming a moral victory, while the Bharatiya Janata Party criticized his actions as crossing a line. The judge's decision reflects the serious implications of public vilification of the judiciary, emphasizing the need for judicial independence and integrity. The CBI's appeal will be reassigned to another bench for further consideration.