India, May 14 -- Delhi High Court judge Swarna Kanta Sharma on Thursday initiated criminal contempt proceedings against Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, stating that he has "attempted to lower the authority of this court." She questioned Kejriwal's authority to question the court adding that the order is not "written in anger" but is the result of actions of contemnors.

The HC judge initiated proceedings against Kejriwal, along with Manish Sisodia and former MLA Durgesh Pathak, alleging that they carried out a social media "campaign of vilification."

Arvind Kejriwal was earlier seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma from hearing the excise policy case, citing a conflict of interest. But Justice Sharma refused to allow his plea.

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