Kejriwal's arrest noted by Germany; Standards of judicial independence expected

A spokesman for Germany's foreign ministry, Sebastian Fischer, responded to a question about how the German federal government assessed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, citing that it occurred weeks before the general election and that the Indian opposition views it as politically motivated. Germany has "taken note" of Kejriwal's arrest and expects that "standards regarding the independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles" will apply, the spokesperson said on Friday, March 22.

“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,” Fischer said according to his ministry’s website. He added that Kejriwal is “entitled to a fair, unbiased trial”, which he said “includes the right to make use of all existing legal remedies without restriction”.

“The presumption of innocence is a central element of the rule of law and must apply to it [Kejriwal’s case],” Fischer continued, The Wire reported.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader, Arvind Kejriwal, was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate financial crimes agency yesterday. He is being held on suspicion of being the "kingpin" of the suspected Delhi liquor policy scam.

His AAP government in Delhi is charged with using a now-scrapped liquor policy that was first put into effect in 2021 to grant liquor licences to certain businessmen in exchange for bribes.

Manish Sisodia, the deputy chief minister of Delhi and head of the party, has been imprisoned in this matter since February of last year. The accusations are politically driven, according to the AAP.

On Friday evening, a court in Delhi granted the Enforcement Directorate six days' custody of Kejriwal.