Top Tihar Official Amid Arvind Kejriwal Insulin Row: “One Rule For All

In a recent exclusive interview with NDTV, Mr. Beniwal, a senior official at Tihar jail, addressed allegations made by the Aam Aadmi Party regarding the treatment of diabetic prisoners at the facility. According to Mr. Beniwal, Tihar has around 1,000 diabetics, and they are provided with food and medication based on the advice of senior doctors, including those from renowned institutions such as AIIMS and Ram Manohar Lohia hospital. He emphasized that the jail is accustomed to facing pressure and that such situations are a part of life.

The controversy surrounding the treatment of diabetic prisoners escalated when Mr. Kejriwal, a prominent political figure, alleged that he was being deprived of insulin since his arrest on March 21. He also claimed that his request for a video call with a private practitioner was denied by the special court hearing his case in Delhi. In response, the Aam Aadmi Party organized protests outside Tihar jail.

Mr. Beniwal dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and stated that the jail would adhere to the court’s instructions, emphasizing that they have provided satisfactory responses to the allegations in court. Mr. Beniwal further explained that the jail follows the existing practice under the jail manual, seeking advice from referral hospitals outside the jail when a prisoner’s illness is serious. These referral hospitals include AIIMS, RML, and other medical facilities.

He reiterated that this is a normal process for all prisoners and that there is no particular categorization for any specific prisoner. Mr. Beniwal also questioned the possibility of administering “slow poison” in the jail and emphasized the involvement of senior government-appointed doctors in the treatment of prisoners. Overall, the interview clarified the procedures and protocols followed at Tihar jail in addressing the medical needs of diabetic prisoners and sought to dispel the allegations raised by the Aam Aadmi Party.