'Hope everyone's rights are protected...': UN reacts to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy case is garnering more and more international reactions. This time, the United Nations (UN) has commented on Kejriwal's arrest.

During a routinepress conference, Stephane Dujarric- the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, was asked about the political unrest in India before the Lok Sabha elections with Kejriwal's arrest and freezing of the Congress party's bank accounts.

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Responding to the question, Dujarric said, "What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone’s rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair."

US and Germany express concerns over Kejriwal's arrest

The UN spokesperson's reaction comes days after the United States (US) and Germany reacted to the Delhi chief minister's arrest. On Monday (March 25), a US State Department spokesperson said that it was closely following reports on Kejriwal's arrest, and urged a fair, transparent, and legal process for him.

Germany, meanwhile, said that like anyone facing accusations, Kejriwal was "entitled to a fair and impartial trial, this includes he can make use of all available legal avenues without restrictions."

Also watch |Special court extends Arvind Kejriwal's custody in ED

New Delhi strongly objected to the remarks made by Washington and Berlin and summoned their diplomats.

Kejriwal's custody extended

Kejriwal's ED custody in the Delhi excise policy case has been extended till April 1. During the hearing at a local court in New Delhi, Kejriwal said on Thursday that the case had been going on for two years, and no allegations had been proven.

The chief minister said that out of the 162 witnesses the ED examined, his name appeared only in four places.