On Monday, former diplomat Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha pointed out a ‘delicious irony’ in the actions of the US Department of Justice following President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son over gun crime and tax convictions.
Sinha noted that the same department had recently indicted a prominent Indian businessman for alleged bribery. At the same time, Biden, who had previously vowed not to pardon his son, exercised this power.
Sinha’s remarks raised concerns about contradictions in the US legal system’s approach to high-profile cases.
Sinha stated, “I must say that I was a bit surprised to read his statement in which he pardoned his son, having in the past said that he would not exercise this Right of Pardon for his son. The reasons he has given surprise me because if the American justice system, the Department of Justice, and the President of the United States don’t have much faith in that system, that is astonishing. It is a delicious irony that the same Department of Justice has indicted captains of industry in India from a very big group, accusing them not of bribing but of planning to bribe state governments in India.”
The former diplomat also expressed concerns about double standards in the US legal approach, urging that the US refrain from extending its legal jurisdiction over foreign nations where it holds no authority.
“However, the main issue here is that we should not follow double standards, especially when you are dealing with foreign countries–do not extend your jurisdiction to countries where you have none,” he added.
On Sunday, US President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of gun crimes and tax violations. The pardon ensures he will not face sentencing or prison time.
Following the decision, US President-elect Donald Trump called it a ‘miscarriage of justice’.
Also Read: Abhijit Iyer-Mitra Criticizes US Political Justice System Following Hunter Biden’s Pardon
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