Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest | India expresses ‘strong objection’ to remarks of U.S. State Department

India protests U.S. diplomat Gloria Berbena's remarks on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, demanding fair legal process.

India on March 27 expressed “strong objection” to the remarks of the U.S. State Department on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a case of alleged corruption. In a statement the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that “fellow democracies’ should respect each other’s sovereignty and highlighted India’s “independent judiciary”. 

“We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the U.S. State Department about certain legal proceedings in India. In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents,” said the MEA in a response.

On March 25, the spokesperson of the State Department had said the U.S. government hoped Mr. Kejriwal’s case would be treated through a “timely legal process”. 

“We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal,” the U.S. spokesperson said in response to an emailed question about the case.

Also read | Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE updates- March 27

“India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted,” the MEA said on Wednesday.