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International Stir: US And Germany Weigh In On CM Kejriwal Arrest

After India summoned an American diplomat over remarks concerning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest in a liquor policy case, the US repeated its request for “fair, clear, and timely legal procedures” on Wednesday.

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller also spoke about Congress party’s allegations that their bank accounts were frozen.

In a firm statement issued on March 27, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed strong objection to remarks made by the US State Department spokesperson regarding certain legal proceedings in India. The MEA emphasized the importance of diplomatic respect for sovereignty and internal affairs, particularly among fellow democracies, to avoid setting negative precedents. It reaffirmed India’s commitment to an independent judiciary and urged against casting doubt on its integrity.

A meeting between India’s foreign ministry and the American diplomat lasted about 40 minutes yesterday at the South Block office. India strongly objected to the US comments regarding Mr Kejriwal’s arrest.

On Tuesday, the US State Department said that it closely monitored developments surrounding Mr Kejriwal’s arrest. It urged New Delhi to ensure the jailed Chief Minister receives “a fair and prompt legal process.”

The US comments followed a similar statement from Germany’s Foreign Office, underscoring the need for a fair trial for Mr Kejriwal. India reacted strongly, labelling Germany’s remark as blatant interference and summoning their envoy.

Even Germany’s tone changed after India summoned a senior German diplomat over their remarks on Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest.

Sebastian Fischer from the German foreign office showed confidence in the Indian Constitution and highlighted the shared democratic values between Germany and India.

On Saturday, the German foreign ministry noted the arrest and stressed the necessity of adhering to fundamental democratic principles.

“Mr Kejriwal, as with any individual facing accusations, should be afforded a fair and unbiased trial. This entails unrestricted access to all legal avenues.”

Last week, Mr Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), becoming the third Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, following Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, to be detained about the alleged liquor policy scandal.

The excise policy aimed to reform Delhi’s liquor industry but was cancelled following Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s investigation into alleged irregularities. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) suspects that bribes from the policy-funded AAP election campaigns have labelled Mr Kejriwal as a “conspirator” in the case.

His arrest just before the 2024 Lok Sabha election has sparked angry protests from the opposition.

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