US Again Talks on Kejriwal & Frozen Accounts of Congress

New Delhi: Even after India summoned an American diplomat over their remarks on the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, the US on Wednesday reiterated its call for “fair, transparent, timely legal processes”.

Responding to questions on India summoning Gloria Berbena, the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal”.

On Wednesday, India objected strongly to the US remarks on the arrest of Kejriwal.

Miller also spoke on the Congress party’s frozen bank accounts, saying, “We are also aware of the Congress party’s allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections.”

He said the US encourages “fair, transparent and timely legal processes” for each of these issues.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

The US State Department on Tuesday said it is monitoring reports of Mr Kejriwal’s arrest and called on New Delhi to ensure “a fair and timely legal process” for the jailed Chief Minister.

India objected to it and warned of “unhealthy precedents”.

“States are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others, and this responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents,” the foreign ministry said.

“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 ministry stressed.