In a big political development, the Ministry of External Affairs on March 23, 2024, summoned the German diplomat over remarks made by the German Foreign Ministry on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrest made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with liquor policy case. According to a news agency, the Georg Enzweiler, the Deputy head of the Mission of the German Embassy was summoned by the MEA for an explanation towards the issue.
Taking note of Delhi Chief Minister Arrest, the German Foreign ministry earlier said it expects standards regarding the independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles will apply.
Sebastian Fischer, a spokesperson for German Foreign Ministry was answering a question asking how the German Federal government assessed Kejriwal’s arrest, that it took place weeks before thr general elections in India and that the opposition sees it as politically motivated.
“We have taken note of the case. India is a democratic nation and we assume that standards related to the independence of the judiciary and fundamental democratic principles will also apply in the case,” Fischer said according to his ministry’s website. He said that Kejriwal is entitled to make use of all legal existing remedies without restriction. The presumptions of innocence are a central element of the rule of law and must apply to it, Fischer continued to say.
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 22, 2024, and remanded to a custody for seven days till March 28, 2024 a day after he was arrested by the probe agency in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case.
Special judge of the CBI, Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court passed the order after Kejriwal was produced on March 22, 2024 after his arrest a day ago. The case pertains to the alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy case 2022 which was later scrapped.
In its arguments before the court, the ED alleged that Kejriwal (Delhi CM) is the key conspirator and kingpin in demanding kickbacks from businessmen. The agency further claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy. The ED Counsel claimed that Vijay Nair who was the in-charge of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) was working for Kejriwal.
Nair, who lives near the residence of Kejriwal, acted as a middleman between AAP and South group. The ED further claimed that the proceeds of crime are not only Rs 100 crore, but the profits made by the bribe givers were also proceeds of crime. The agency alleged that it traced Hawala of Rs 45 crore in the Goa Elections.
The arrests made by the central agency has drawn severe criticism for the BJP led-centre from the opposition leaders. The AAP leaders will “gherao” the Prime Minister’s residence on March 26, 2024 and protest against Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED, party leader Gopal Rai said on March 22, 2024.
Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member.
Kejriwal’s arrest came days after the ED arrested Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao K Kavitha, in connection with its investigation into money laundering charges linked to the now-scrapped excise policy. Kavitha is in ED custody till March 23, 2024.
