Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia - in a dramatic shift in strategy - have chosen to forgo legal representation in the excise policy case, instead saying they would raise "Satyagraha" as their response to the ongoing proceedings. A day after Kejriwal informed the Delhi High Court that he would not be represented by a lawyer, Sisodia followed with a similar communication, aligning himself with the same course and raising concerns over the fairness of the process.
Both leaders have also conveyed that they will neither appear in person nor engage counsel before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, even as they maintain that their faith in the judiciary remains intact.
The move signals a clear pivot - from courtroom contest to a political and symbolic protest - despite the matter continuing under judicial scrutiny with potential legal consequences.
Reinforcing the Gandhian move, the two leaders visited Raj Ghat in the afternoon to seek “Bapu’s blessings”. Sisodia said the choice was driven by conscience. He stated, “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.”
Calling his decision a matter of principle, he added that he was in “respectful agreement” with Kejriwal and wrote, “A litigant may sometimes have to choose between convenience and conscience.” Sisodia also made it clear he was ready to face the legal fallout of stepping back from proceedings.
He further wrote in his letter, “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.”
He further said, “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.”
Kejriwal, too, had earlier indicated he would not participate in the proceedings before Justice Sharma, while leaving open the option of approaching the Supreme Court at a later stage.
The development comes soon after the High Court rejected Kejriwal’s plea seeking the judge’s recusal. In its order, the court observed that “the courtroom cannot become a theatre of perception”, cautioning against allowing such pleas without substantive grounds. It added that a judge cannot be asked to step aside merely on perceived bias.
Both leaders, however, have flagged concerns over what they describe as possible conflicts of interest and the broader perception of fairness in a politically sensitive case. Sisodia reiterated this, saying, “justice must not only be fair, but must also appear to be fair.”
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