India strongly protests to Germany over comments on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

Officials from the German Embassy, including George Enzweiler, met with Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) representatives on Saturday, prompting a forceful response from India.

Sources within the ministry revealed that India lodged a robust protest with the German envoy, condemning what they described as "blatant interference" in India's internal affairs by Germany's foreign office.

Enzweiler was observed leaving the MEA office located in South Block, New Delhi.

The visit occurred shortly after the German Foreign Ministry issued an official statement regarding the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi.

The German Foreign Ministry's spokesperson emphasized India's democratic nature, expressing expectations for the preservation of judicial independence and democratic principles in Kejriwal's case. The spokesperson highlighted Kejriwal's right to a fair trial and presumption of innocence.

Kejriwal was remanded to Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody for seven days, until March 28, following his arrest on charges of money laundering related to the Delhi excise policy case.

Special CBI Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court ordered Kejriwal's detention after his arrest by the central agency on Thursday night.

The case involves alleged irregularities and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the 2022 Delhi excise policy, subsequently annulled.

During court proceedings, the ED accused Kejriwal of being the mastermind behind kickback demands from businessmen, asserting his direct involvement in crafting the excise policy. The agency also implicated Vijay Nair, alleging his role as a middleman between Kejriwal's AAP and the South group.

The ED claimed to have traced Hawala transactions totaling Rs 45 crore, allegedly used in the Goa Election.

Kejriwal's arrest sparked criticism from opposition leaders toward the BJP-led government.

In response, AAP announced plans to protest Kejriwal's arrest by "gheraoing" the Prime Minister's residence on March 26, as stated by party leader Gopal Rai.

Notably, two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are already in judicial custody in connection with the excise policy case.

Kejriwal's arrest followed closely after the ED detained Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in a related money laundering investigation. Kavitha remains in ED custody until March 23.

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