New Delhi, Mar 23: The Government of India on Saturday took strong objection to certain remarks made by the German Foreign Ministry in relation to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and conveyed its protest by summoning the German Deputy Chief of Mission to the External Affairs Ministry.

“We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement here.

The MEA reaction came in response to comments by German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer last night when he said, “We have taken note. India is a democratic country. We assume and expect that the standards relating to the independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case.”

Fischer added, “Like anyone facing accusations, 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.”

The comments by the German Foreign Ministry spokesman, at a routine media briefing, came shortly after Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise issues related to the now-stopped liquor policy.

The MEA statement said, “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.”

It added that, “India is a vibrant and robust democracy with a rule of law. As in all legal cases in the country, and elsewhere in the democratic world, the law will take its own course in an instant. Biased assumptions made on this account are most unwarranted.”

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj, meanwhile, reposted on social media the comments made by the German Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

“Germany knows how Hitler imposed dictatorship by spreading hatred and destroying the entire country. Therefore, there is concern,” added Bhardwaj, a close colleague of Arvind Kejriwal.

UNI