Indian court extends custody of top political rival

An Indian court has extended the custody of the prime minister’s main political rival following protests after his arrest.

Arvind Kejriwal. Pic: Reuters

Arvind Kejriwal, New Delhi’s top elected official and a prominent anti-corruption campaigner, was arrested by a federal agency on 21 March.

India’s Enforcement Directorate, which is controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, has accused Kejriwal’s party and ministers of accepting one billion rupees (£9.5m) in bribes over the city’s alcohol policy.

Arvind Kejriwal leaving court on Thursday. Pic: AP

A court originally ordered for him to be held in custody until Thursday, but this has now been extended for four more days.

In court Kejriwal called his arrest “a political conspiracy” as his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – also known as the Common People’s Party – is part of a broad alliance of opposition parties which is the main challenger to Mr Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Modi is seeking a third term in office after the general election next month. Pic: AP

The AAP has denied the “fabricated” allegations and vowed Kejriwal will remain Delhi’s chief minister as he fights the case in court.

Since his arrest, hundreds of supporters have been protesting in India’s capital where they accused Mr Modi of ruling the country under a state of emergency.

The general election starts in India on 19 April, with Mr Modi seeking a third term in office.

But opposition parties have made several allegations against the government saying it is misusing its power to harass and weaken its political opponents.

The Congress Party – led by Rahul Gandhi – separately accused the government of freezing its bank account in an attempt to cripple its election campaigning.

A slew of raids, arrests and corruption investigations have been launched against opposition figures with charges dropped against some who later joined Mr Modi’s party.

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The BJP claims law enforcement agencies are acting independently of the government, with a spokesperson accusing Kejriwal’s party of playing the “victim card”.

But the situation has drawn attention from the US as Matthew Miller, a US state department spokesperson, said Washington is “aware” of the allegations made by opposition parties and that the US encourages a fair and transparent legal process for each of these issues.

In reaction, a senior official from the US embassy in New Delhi was summoned by Indian officials, who called Mr Miller’s comments “unwarranted”.

A similar thing happened to a senior official from the German embassy after a spokesperson for the country’s foreign office said Kejriwal was entitled to a fair and free trial.