After US' remarks on Kejriwal's arrest, MEA lodges 'strong objection', summons diplomat
New Delhi: In a diplomatic response to the recent comments made by the United States regarding the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, India summoned a senior US diplomat to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to express its displeasure and lodge a "strong objection."
Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena was called to the MEA on Wednesday, more than 24 hours after the remarks from the US were reported.
The US State Department's spokesperson had commented on Kejriwal's arrest, urging for a "fair, transparent, and timely legal process" in the matter, as reported by news agency Reuters on Tuesday.
This development follows a similar incident last week when Germany became the first country to express hope that the "standards regarding the independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles" would apply to Kejriwal's arrest. Subsequently, the German deputy chief of mission was summoned to the MEA.
In both instances, it was not the highest-ranking diplomat of Germany and the US in India who was summoned but rather the next in line.
However, unlike the statement regarding the protest against Germany, the MEA press release regarding the US did not acknowledge summoning a diplomat.
The MEA's press note on Wednesday expressed strong objection to the remarks made by the US State Department spokesperson, accusing the US of interfering in India's internal affairs. It emphasized the importance of mutual respect for sovereignty and internal affairs, especially among fellow democracies, to avoid setting unhealthy precedents.
The statement reiterated India's commitment to an independent judiciary, stating that casting aspersions on it is unwarranted. Kejriwal, also the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested shortly before the upcoming parliamentary elections next month. Meanwhile, Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, has been in custody since February last year in connection with the same case.
#WATCH | The Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi summoned the US' Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena, today. The meeting lasted for approximately 40 minutes. pic.twitter.com/LGjD9IvX91
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2024
#WATCH | The Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi summoned the US' Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena, today. The meeting lasted for approximately 40 minutes. pic.twitter.com/ONLUCI9Hnc
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2024
India strongly objects to the remarks of the US State Department Spokesperson:https://t.co/mi0Lu2XXDL pic.twitter.com/pa9WYNZQSi
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 27, 2024
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Advocate found dead in car on Nainital court premises
Nainital (PTI): A 55-year-old advocate allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself inside his car at the Nainital district court parking lot here on Monday, police said.
According to the police, Puran Singh Bhakuni, a resident of Mallital, was found in the rear seat of his vehicle with a gunshot wound to his temple.
Police recovered a licensed pistol from his hand and a suicide note from the car’s dashboard. The note stated that Bhakuni was unwell and suffering from depression.
"We received information through lawyers around noon. The deceased was lying in the back seat with a pistol in his hand and blood near his ear," Circle Officer Anjana Negi said.
Forensic teams and ballistic experts reached the spot to collect evidence, as no witness reported hearing the gunshot.
Government counsel Sushil Sharma stated that Bhakuni left home at 9 am and was found dead at 9.30 am.
Sharma raised concerns over the circumstances, noting that the body was in the rear seat, and demanded a thorough probe to rule out foul play. Bhakuni, who worked as a notary, had married six months ago, he said.
Police took the body into custody and sent it for a postmortem to confirm the cause of death.
The forensic laboratory will examine the suicide note and the ballistics of the weapon, the police said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
