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India on Saturday summoned a senior diplomat from the German Embassy and lodged a strong protest over comments on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Later, the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, George Enzweiler, was seen leaving the Ministry of External Affairs office in the capital.
India called the comments “blatant interference” in India’s internal matters after the German foreign office said on Friday that it has “taken note” of Kejriwal’s arrest and expects that “standards regarding the independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles” will apply.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary. India is a vibrant and robust democrary with rule of law. As in all legal cases in the country, and elsewhere in the democratic world, law will take its own course in the instant matter. Biased assumptions made on this account are most unwarranted.”
In response to how the German government assessed Kejriwal’s arrest weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, Sebastian Fischer, a spokesperson for Germany’s foreign ministry, said, “We have taken note of the case. India is a democratic country. We assume and expect that the standards relating to the independence of the judiciary and fundamental democratic principles will also apply in this case.”
“Like anyone facing accusations, Kejriwal is entitled to a fair and impartial trial, this includes he can make use of all available legal avenues without restrictions. The presumption of innocence is a central element of the rule of law and must apply to him [sic],” the statement said.
The Enforcement Directorate termed the Aam Aadmi Party chief the kingpin of the alleged excise scam in collusion with other ministers of the Delhi government. It claimed that Kejriwal was involved in the conspiracy of formulation of the Excise Policy 2021-22 to favour certain persons.
A special court on Friday sent Kejriwal to six days of ED custody, till March 28.
