Arvind Kejriwal in jail: The AAP has claimed a “conspiracy to kill” the Delhi Chief Minister, who reportedly requires insulin twice a day.
In recent news, there has been controversy surrounding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is a Type 2 diabetes patient, and his access to insulin while he was in Tihar Jail. There are reports circulating that he might have been denied insulin during his time behind bars. Additionally, there are claims that Mr. Kejriwal consumed mangoes, sweets, and tea with sugar instead of a non-calorific sweetener that is typically recommended for diabetics. There are also questions about how many times he ate aloo-puri while in jail.
The Enforcement Directorate has opposed Mr. Kejriwal’s request for a 15-minute video consult with his doctor, alleging that he deliberately consumed sugary foods to create grounds for medical bail. Mr. Kejriwal has criticized the ED for focusing on his diet rather than his health needs and has expressed his frustrations about the situation. The court hearing on this matter took place today, and a verdict is expected on Monday.
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In essence, the dispute revolves around whether Mr. Kejriwal was denied access to insulin and the allegations of consuming foods high in sugar while in jail. Mr. Kejriwal’s request for medical support and his criticism of the ED’s approach have brought attention to this ongoing issue.
In court, a prisoner questioned whether being incarcerated meant forfeiting the right to a decent life and good health. He pondered aloud if being labeled a criminal meant he couldn’t even have a simple 15-minute video call with his doctor.
His defense lawyer, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Mr. Kejriwal, refuted claims that the prisoner was manipulating his diet to spike his blood sugar levels for the sake of securing bail. He emphasized that the prisoner strictly adhered to the specific diet plan recommended by his doctor prior to his arrest.
In his statement, Mr. Kejriwal mentioned that he has been taking 50 units of insulin daily since 2012 – 28 units in the morning and 22 units at night. He expressed concern that he has not received this life-saving medication for the past 29 days.
Mr. Kejriwal finds it surprising that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) posits that he intentionally raised his blood sugar levels to obtain medical bail. He argues against their claim that he deliberately consumed sugary foods, risking his health for such a reason.
Mr. Kejriwal provided a detailed response to the ED’s accusations, addressing each point raised. He mentioned the specific names of the insulin injections he’s been taking and highlighted his doctor’s recommendations. Regarding the mangoes, he clarified that out of 48 home-cooked meals he received, only three contained mangoes, and no mangoes were given after April 8. His lawyer argued that portraying mangoes as harmful was misleading, as their sugar content is actually lower than that of brown or white rice.