Tihar Pushes Back Against AAP’s Accusations Regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s Claims

AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has accused the jail administration of indecisiveness and reiterated the party’s claim that there is a conspiracy to cause harm to Arvind Kejriwal while he is in prison. The Director General of Prisons, Sanjay Baniwal, has requested AIIMS to arrange for a senior diabetologist for Mr. Kejriwal. The jail administration responded to the flip-flop accusation by stating that a senior doctor from AIIMS had been consulted via video conferencing, at the request of the Chief Minister’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal. They further assured that there is no cause for serious concern and advised Mr. Kejriwal to continue with his prescribed medicines.

Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj had previously claimed that Mr. Kejriwal was being denied insulin and medical consultations, alleging that a conspiracy was at play to harm him in jail. The Tihar administration maintains that there is adequate availability of insulin in the jail dispensary and it can be administered to Mr. Kejriwal as and when required. Mr. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money-laundering case, and the medical records from RML Hospital indicated that he was not advised any insulin. The Tihar report stated that his health was reviewed by a medicine specialist and insulin was not required, as his blood sugar levels were not alarming.

The ED had previously informed the court that Arvind Kejriwal was consuming high-sugar foods daily, despite having type 2 diabetes, in an attempt to seek medical bail. The administration had also sought a diet plan for Mr. Kejriwal, highlighting his consumption of high-sugar foods. However, Mr. Kejriwal had refuted these claims, asserting that his diet was in accordance with the plan prepared by his doctor.