‘A Mockery of Democracy’: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Kejriwal’s Arrest

Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal criticized the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, labeling it as a “mockery of democracy.” Sibal questioned the grounds of Kejriwal’s arrest in the Delhi liquor policy case, asserting that there is no substantial evidence in the case.

“The INDIA Alliance has to decide what to do. I have been saying since the beginning that the alliance has to come together against all of this. This is a zero case. The whole case is based on the statements of the approvers. The approvers’ statements are not considered unless there is substantial proof, and there are no proofs in this case,” Sibal remarked.

He also criticized the BJP for its role in the electoral bonds case, alleging that instead of taking action against those who should have been arrested, they purchased bonds from them. Sibal characterized this situation as a “mockery of democracy.”

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, condemned the government’s actions as dictatorial and likened the state of affairs in the country to fascism.

“Don’t worry, you have entered fascism. The dictatorial government is putting all the opposition leaders in jail. Constitutional and democratic values are being murdered. As the Lok Sabha elections are approaching, only nominal democracy is left in the country; in reality, fascism is going on here,” Singhvi stated.

These sentiments were echoed by several opposition leaders who criticized the BJP for undermining democracy in the country. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called upon the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognizance of the matter, describing Kejriwal’s arrest as violative of the spirit of democracy.

Reacting to Kejriwal’s arrest, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader MA Baby attributed it directly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direction. Congress MP Digvijaya Singh expressed concern that Kejriwal’s arrest sets a precedent for the arrest of elected chief ministers after a change in government.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case after the Delhi High Court refused interim protection to him. Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are also in judicial custody in connection with the same case.