Delhi High Court Summons Kejriwal, Sisodia Over Alleged Liquor‑Policy Contempt

The bench of Justice Anu Malhotra in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday sent a formal notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The notice comes in response to a criminal contempt petition that alleges the two leaders misled the public and the court while defending the much‑debated liquor‑policy reforms introduced in 2022.

According to the petition filed by a Delhi resident, the government’s “liquor policy” – which saw a steep hike in prices of beer and spirits and a change in the distribution model – was promoted as a measure to curb illegal liquor and boost state revenue. The petitioner claims the officials presented the policy as a “clean‑handed” anti‑bootlegging drive, while, in reality, the reforms allegedly benefited a select group of private bottlers.

What makes the case sticky is the accusation of contempt of court. The petitioner argues that Kejriwal and Sisodia, during a series of court appearances earlier this year, asserted that the policy was purely “public‑interest driven” and dismissed any claims of collusion. The court, however, was presented with documents suggesting that the policy’s rollout bypassed several procedural safeguards, raising doubts about the truthfulness of those statements.

In its notice, the High Court asked the two leaders to file their replies within 30 days, specifically addressing whether their earlier remarks constituted a wilful disregard of the court’s authority. The court also hinted that if the matter is not clarified, it could proceed to a formal contempt proceeding – a step that can lead to penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.

Political analysts say this development could add another layer of pressure on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi, already juggling multiple legal battles, including the infamous “cafeteria scam” and the “Gurugram water” case. “It’s another reminder that political decisions, especially those affecting everyday commodities like liquor, are under constant judicial scrutiny,” noted Sunita Sharma, a senior counsel based in New Delhi.

For now, Kejriwal’s office has not issued a detailed comment, merely stating that the matter is “being examined” and that the government respects the court’s processes. Sisodia, who is currently out of the capital but remains an influential AAP figure, is expected to file a response through his legal team.

Whether the case will lead to a full‑blown contempt trial or end in a settlement remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the Delhi High Court is signalling its willingness to enforce accountability, even when it involves the city’s top executives.