Kejriwal refuses court appearance, cites bias

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has declined to appear before a Delhi High Court bench led by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in an ongoing excise policy case. In a letter to the court, Kejriwal stated he no longer has faith in the judge's ability to ensure justice in the matter. He announced he would instead adopt a protest route inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, signaling a major escalation in his legal and political confrontation with the central government. This move follows the recent defection of seven AAP MPs to the ruling BJP in the Rajya Sabha.