Delhi HC Rejects PIL Seeking AAP's Deregistration, Ban On Kejriwal And Sisodia From Contesting Polls
Delhi HC Rejects PIL Seeking AAP's Deregistration, Ban On Kejriwal And Sisodia From Contesting Polls Published By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 15:48 IST The
Delhi HC Rejects PIL Seeking AAP's Deregistration, Ban On Kejriwal And Sisodia From Contesting Polls Published By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 15:48 IST The court termed the plea “highly misconceived” and “bereft of any merit”. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, right, and party leader Manish Sisodia address a press conference, in New Delhi. (IMAGE: PTI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the deregistration of the Aam Aadmi Party and disqualification of party leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak from contesting elections over their alleged refusal to participate in proceedings related to the Delhi excise policy case. The court termed the plea “highly misconceived" and “bereft of any merit". The petition, filed by Satish Kumar Aggarwal, sought directions to the Election Commission of India to deregister AAP for alleged violation of Section 29A(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The petitioner argued that the AAP leaders’ alleged refusal to appear before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court in matters linked to the Delhi excise policy case undermined the authority and dignity of a constitutional court. The plea further claimed that such conduct amounted to a failure to bear “true faith and allegiance" to the Constitution, as required under Section 29A(5) of the Representation of the People Act. HC Seeks Stand Of AAP Leaders On Social Media Posts The Delhi High Court, however, on Tuesday sought the stand of AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bhardwaj and others in a criminal contempt case initiated against them for their “vilifying" social media posts against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja issued notice to the politicians on the suo motu contempt case initiated against them by Justice Sharma and granted them four-week time to file their response.
“Issue notice. The alleged contemnors will file their response within a period of four weeks from the receipt of notice," the bench stated, as it listed the case for next hearing on August 4. Justice Sharma had on May 14 initiated criminal contempt proceedings against Kejriwal, Sisodia and other AAP leaders over their “vilifying" social media posts against her in relation to the excise policy case. Justice Sharma had asserted that the former Delhi chief minister “orchestrated a calculated campaign" of vilification against her on social media instead of pursuing his legal remedies and clarified that the CBI’s petition against the discharge of all accused persons would now be taken up by another bench. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 20, 2026, 15:26 IST News india Delhi HC Rejects PIL Seeking AAP's Deregistration, Ban On Kejriwal And Sisodia From Contesting Polls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.
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