India’s Response to Germany’s Remarks on Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest: Upholding Democratic Values and Judicial Independence
Germany’s comments about Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest in the Delhi liquor policy case have drawn criticism from India in New Delhi, calling them unjustified and prejudiced. This response followed Germany’s declaration that it expected India to uphold fundamental democratic values in order to guarantee Kejriwal, who is being held, a fair trial. The German Foreign Ministry was questioned over its position on Kejriwal’s arrest prior to the Lok Sabha elections during a press conference. The spokesman said that Germany was aware of the issue and underlined how crucial it is for India to preserve judicial independence and democratic values. He emphasized Kejriwal’s entitlement to a just and unbiased trial, underscoring the presumption of innocence as a cornerstone of the rule of law.
India swiftly condemned Germany’s comments, asserting that they undermined the independence of the judiciary and constituted blatant interference in internal matters. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned German envoy George Enzweiler to officially protest against these remarks. India reiterated its status as a vibrant democracy with a strong rule of law, emphasizing that legal proceedings would unfold in accordance with established procedures. The Ministry emphasized that biased assumptions regarding the case were unjustified.
The accusations against Arvind Kejriwal stem from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which alleges that he was the “main conspirator” behind the now-defunct Delhi liquor policy, purportedly designed to secure kickbacks from retailers and wholesalers. Kejriwal had been summoned by the probe agency nine times before his arrest. Presently, he remains in ED custody until March 28 as legal proceedings continue.