India protests Germany's remark on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in liquor policy case
India on Saturday lodged a strong protest against Germany's recent remark over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case.
"The German Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi was summoned today and conveyed India’s strong protest on their Foreign Office Spokesperson’s comments on our internal affairs," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
"We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary," the statement said.
"India is a vibrant and robust democracy 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," the statement said.
India reacted just hours after the German Foreign Ministry said it expects Kejriwal to get fair and impartial trial.
"We have taken note, India is a democratic country. We assume and expect that the standards relating to independence of Judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case. Like anyone facing accusations, Mr 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," the spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Kejriwal has become the first serving Chief Minister to be arrested and is the third senior leader from the party to be arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam.
The arrest comes hours after a team from the ED questioned him at his residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Atishi, who is at the forefront in briefing the media and taking on the BJP, has confirmed that Kejriwal will continue to remain the chief Minister of the national capital.
According to reports, the AAP will approach the Supreme Court against the arrest on Friday.
Kejriwal had already skipped nine summons issued by the ED in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in connection with the case in February last year, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was taken into custody in October.
Kejriwal's arrest has triggered a slugfest between the country's ruling BJP and opposition parties.