Arvind Kejriwal rebuts Tihar health update, says ' he needs insulin'
PTC Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has expressed his disappointment over the statements made by the Tihar Jail administration concerning his health. He, however, reiterated his daily need for insulin as a diabetic patient.
Earlier, a Tihar Jail source had stated that Arvind Kejriwal had a video consultation with doctors from AIIMS on April 20. According to sources, doctors were of the view that "the Delhi Chief Minister did not have any serious health concerns".
In a letter directed to the Superintendent of Tihar Jail, Kejriwal highlighted his glucose meter readings, ranging from 250 to 320, which he described as "dangerous". He accused the jail administration of providing false information about his health, alleging it to be influenced by "political pressure".
The Delhi Chief Minister dismissed the update from AIIMS doctors about his health, stating that detailed information regarding his health data and history would be provided by his physicians.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Tihar administration of withholding insulin from Kejriwal, who suffers from diabetes. They have further alleged a "conspiracy" aimed at harming him.
On Saturday, video conference was arranged by the Tihar Jail administration at the request of Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal. During this consultation, the jailed Chief Minister's complete record of the glucose monitoring sensor, along with details of his diet and medications, was reviewed.
However, the issue of insulin was not raised by Arvind Kejriwal nor suggested by the doctors during the video consultation, as per a Tihar Jail source.
In a report submitted on Friday (April 19) to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the Tihar Jail administration stated that the Delhi Chief Minister's health was evaluated on April 10 and April 15 by a specialist in medicine. The specialist recommended oral anti-diabetic drugs, and the report clarified that it was "incorrect to state that Kejriwal was denied insulin at any point" during treatment.
There has been recent contention between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the AAP regarding Kejriwal's health. The ED alleged that despite having Type-2 Diabetes, the Chief Minister was consuming mangoes, aloo puri, and sweets daily to raise his blood sugar level and potentially seek a medical bail.
In response, Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer refuted the allegations, stating that he only had mangoes thrice while in jail and consumed aloo puri as part of Navratra prasad. This statement was made during a hearing at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Friday, regarding a plea to allow the Chief Minister to receive his insulin shots.
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
- With inputs from agencies
