3 min readNew DelhiMay 19, 2026 02:50 PM IST
First published on: May 19, 2026 at 01:31 PM IST
The Delhi High Court issued fresh notices to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and former AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak, after they opted to remain legally unrepresented in court in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s plea challenging the discharge of 23 accused — including the trio — in the alleged liquor policy scam.
Justice Manoj Jain on Tuesday orally remarked, “Let them be served and be intimated that the case has now been allocated to this bench. Once everybody is here (legally represented), we will draw a schedule for hearing, taking into account the convenience of all…”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, argued that the three have already been served notices earlier.
To which, Justice Jain remarked, “Let me tell you, a day here or there will not make any difference… We will see if they (Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak) are okay with present allocation or they have some reservation. We will wait for 2-3 days and see.”
The court will now hear the matter next on May 25.
Urging the court to hear the matter, Mehta said, “This is a case where serious allegations and scientific investigation was carried and chargesheet was filed… They were discharged; our submission is that it (the trial court’s order discharging them) cannot stand scrutiny of any court… This is a matter which cannot brook any delay, this is a scam in the capital of the nation, it has to be decided at the earliest.”
The trial court verdict
In February, the trial court had discharged 23 accused in the case, including the AAP leaders.
The CBI had then moved the Delhi HC with a criminal revision plea, challenging the discharge.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who was earlier dealing with the plea, had stayed the trial court’s recommendation for action against the CBI’s investigating officer.
While 7 of the 23 accused had sought Justice Sharma’s recusal from the matter, the court had refused to recuse itself. Following this, Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak had voluntarily opted to remain legally unrepresented before Justice Sharma’s court.
Last week, Justice Sharma initiated criminal contempt proceedings suo motu against seven AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, Sisodia and Pathak, while transferring the CBI and Enforcement Directorate’s pleas out of her court.
The ED, in its plea, is seeking expungement of adverse remarks against the agency by the trial court.
On Tuesday, a division bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja issued notice to the seven alleged contemnors.
Aam Aadmi Party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal addresses a press conference at party office, in New Delhi on May 9. (Source: Express Archives) 
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