A division bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja directed the AAP leaders to file their responses within four weeks.

The contempt proceedings stem from social media posts made by Kejriwal and other AAP leaders questioning the conduct of Justice Sharma during hearings in the Delhi liquor policy matter.

The controversy arose after a trial court discharged Kejriwal and 22 other accused in the excise policy case while strongly criticising the CBI’s investigation. The CBI subsequently challenged the discharge order before the Delhi High Court.

Following this, Kejriwal, Sisodia and other accused sought Justice Sharma’s recusal from hearing the matter, alleging bias. Justice Sharma, however, rejected the recusal pleas and termed the allegations against her defamatory, leading to the initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against the AAP leadership.

The standoff escalated further when Kejriwal and Sisodia stated that they would not appear before Justice Sharma during the hearings.

Justice Sharma has now transferred the CBI appeal to another bench.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that Kejriwal, Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak are informed about the transfer of the case and given an opportunity to appear if they wish.

The AAP leaders have also been directed to file their replies to the CBI’s appeal against their discharge by Monday.