The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has garnered international attention, with the United States expressing its concern over the proceedings. According to Reuters, a State Department spokesperson emphasized the importance of a “fair, transparent, and timely legal process” for Kejriwal. The chief minister’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, following allegations of irregularities in the scrapped Delhi excise policy, has sparked a dialogue on legal standards and democratic principles worldwide.
The US’s call for a fair legal process echoes sentiments previously voiced by the German foreign ministry. Highlighting India’s democratic fabric, a spokesperson from the ministry underscored the expectation for judicial independence and basic democratic principles to be upheld in Kejriwal’s case. They stressed the significance of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of the rule of law, asserting that Kejriwal should have unrestricted access to all legal avenues available for his defense.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded strongly to the comments made by the German foreign ministry, summoning the German Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi. The MEA conveyed India’s protest against the remarks, viewing them as interference in India’s judicial process and an undermining of the judiciary’s independence.
When questioned about India’s protest and its implications for US-India or Germany-India relations, the State Department spokesperson deferred to the German Foreign Ministry for comment on their discussions with the Indian government. This diplomatic exchange highlights the global interest in the legal proceedings against Kejriwal, underscoring the broader implications for democratic and judicial standards.
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