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Delhi High Court orders removal of Kejriwal recusal hearing videos from social media
The Delhi High Court on April 24, 2026 directed social media intermediaries, including X Corp (formerly Twitter) and Google, to remove video recordings of Kejriwal's recusal plea. The petition by advocate Vaibhav Singh also sought contempt proceedings for alleged violations of online hearing rules under the 2025 Electronic Evidence and Video Recording Conference Rules, and the court cited IT Rules 2021 to obligate platforms to act against content violating the law. The court issued notices to several individuals and scheduled a next hearing for July 6.
Why It Matters
The order illustrates how courts regulate online dissemination of court proceedings and imposes platform responsibilities, potentially impacting political discourse and access to visual records of judicial proceedings.
Timeline
6 Events
HC directs removal of recusal hearing videos; notices issued
April 24, 2026
On April 24, 2026, the Delhi High Court directed social media intermediaries, including X Corp (formerly Twitter) and Google, to immediately remove video recordings of Kejriwal's plea seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma in the excise policy case. The petition by advocate Vaibhav Singh also sought contempt actions for alleged violations of online hearing rules under the Electronic Evidence and Video Recording Conference Rules, 2025. The court cited IT Rules 2021 Rule 3(1)(b) and said intermediaries must take reasonable steps to prevent content that violates the law. It also issued notices to Kejriwal, Congress leader Digvijay Singh, journalist Ravish Kumar, and AAP leaders to respond, and slated the next hearing for July 6.
Kejriwal again argues recusal application; videos go viral
April 13, 2026
On April 13, 2026, Kejriwal argued the recusal application for over an hour again, with videos of the proceedings circulating widely on social media.
Kejriwal appears to argue recusal application
April 6, 2026
On April 6, 2026, Kejriwal appeared in court and argued his application seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma; the hearing lasted over an hour.
Kejriwal seeks transfer of appeal; transfer rejected
March 13, 2026
On March 13, 2026, Kejriwal sought transfer of the appeal from Justice Sharma's bench; the High Court rejected the transfer request.
High Court stays action against CBI officer, defers ED proceedings
March 9, 2026
On March 9, 2026, Justice Sharma's bench stayed the trial court's direction for action against the CBI officer and deferred proceedings before the Enforcement Directorate, saying the remarks were prima facie foundationally misconceived.
Trial court discharge of Kejriwal and others
February 27, 2026
On February 27, 2026, the trial court discharged Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister, along with Manish Sisodia and 21 others, holding that the CBI's material did not disclose even a prima facie case. The agency challenged this order in the Delhi High Court, alleging the findings were inherently wrong and key evidence was ignored.