Law will take its own course in the matter, says MEA
India summoned the Deputy Chief of Mission of Germany in New Delhi on Saturday (March 24, 2024) and lodged a strong protest against remarks made by the country's foreign ministry spokesperson over Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.
 
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told the senior German diplomat that India sees such remarks as “undermining the independence of our judiciary”. Maintaining that the law would take its course in the matter, the MEA described "biased assumptions" made on this matter as "most unwarranted".

"The German Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi was summoned today and conveyed India’s strong protest on their Foreign Office Spokesperson’s comments on our internal affairs. We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
 
"India is a vibrant and robust democracy with rule of law. As in all legal cases in the country, and elsewhere in the democratic world, law will take its own course in the instant matter. Biased assumptions made on this account are most unwarranted," the MEA stated.
 
Responding to a question on Kejriwal's arrest on Friday (March 22, 2024), the German Foreign Ministry spokesperson said they had taken note of it and that India was a democratic country. 

"We assume and expect that the standards relating to independence of judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case. Like anyone facing accusations, Mr. Kejriwal is entitled to a fair and impartial trial, this includes he can make use of all available legal avenues without restrictions. The presumption of innocence is a central element of the rule of law and must apply to him," media reports quoted the German Foreign Ministry spokesperson as saying.