After Germany, US Urges Fair Trial For Arvind Kejriwal: Transparency In Legal Process

Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is being monitored by the United States government, which has encouraged the Indian government to ensure "a fair, transparent, and timely legal process" for the jailed Delhi Chief Minister and opposition leader, as stated by a State Department spokesperson to Reuters this week.

The response from the US comes after the Foreign Office of Germany emphasized that the Aam Aadmi Party leader, like any other Indian citizen facing charges, is entitled to a fair and impartial trial, as reported by NDTV.

Transparency In Legal Process: US on Kejriwal

A statement regarding the application of standards concerning the independence of judiciary and basic democratic principles in this case was made by a German government spokesperson, on Friday. The comment was strongly reacted to by the Indian government, which summoned the German envoy and labeled it as "blatant interference in internal matters".

Such remarks were seen as interfering in the judicial process and undermining the independence of the judiciary, stated the External Affairs Ministry, adding that biased assumptions were unwarranted. Regarding India's protest to Germany, Reuters was directed by the State Department spokesperson to seek comment from the German Foreign Ministry on their discussions with the Indian government, as reported by NDTV.

There has been no reaction yet from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to the statement from the US State Department. Arvind Kejriwal was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate last week in dramatic circumstances after a Delhi court refused protection from arrest, following a late-night raid at his residence.

He was sent to the custody of the central agency for seven days, until Thursday, in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam that has stirred controversy within the AAP and the national political landscape, less than a month before the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The Chief Minister's arrest has sparked furious protests in Delhi, with the AAP being joined by opposition parties, including allies of the INDIA bloc such as Congress, the Trinamool led by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, in condemning the agency's action, as reported by NDTV.

In Delhi on Tuesday, several AAP workers were detained by police as they attempted to march on the PM's home. Meanwhile, the BJP organized a mega march of its own to press for Kejriwal's resignation.

The BJP, accused by the opposition of using central investigative agencies like the ED to target and harass rivals, particularly before an election, has demanded Kejriwal's resignation and has dismissed claims of using central agencies as described by the opposition, as per media reports.