Arvind Kejriwal eating mangoes to raise sugar levels, create case for bail, ED tells court

“A diabetic person is eating mangoes, sugar intentionally to raise his sugar levels,” special counsel Zoheb Hossain, appearing for the ED, said, adding that Kejriwal was trying to create grounds for bail on medical grounds.

Defending its leader, the Aam Aadmi Party hit back, alleging that the ED and BJP were “conspiring to kill Kejriwal” and that he had been “denied insulin” in Tihar jail.

“Kejriwal ji has been a diabetes patient for 30 years, he has been taking 54 units of insulin per day. Since February 1, he was on an insulin reversal programme, which mandated a strict diet and exercise and sleep cycle. That’s why his insulin was stopped at the time. Since his arrest, this programme has been halted… He is repeatedly demanding insulin from the Tihar jail authorities due to increased blood sugar levels, but the jail authorities are not providing him with insulin,” AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi said at a press conference.

When reached for comments, DG (Prisons) Sanjay Beniwal told The Indian Express that there are two resident doctors in each prison and Kejriwal is being provided with all medical facilities, as directed by the court.

“Insulin, whenever required, will be provided to him… When he came to Tihar jail, his sugar levels were normal and they are currently normal too… If and when the sugar levels shoot up, he will be provided with the requisite medical facilities,” Beniwal said.

Expressing concern over the allegations, the office of Lt Governor V K Saxena posted on X, “Shri V K Saxena has expressed grave concern over reports based on statements by Ministers and AAP leaders alleging non-provision of insulin to Hon’ble CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal who is in jail, and purported ‘conspiracies’ against him. Shri Saxena has asked DG Prisons to submit a factual and comprehensive report on the matter within 24 hours. Although Prisons as a transferred subject comes directly and totally under the AAP government, LG has assured that no laxity with regards to the CM’s health will be tolerated.”

In its submissions in court, the ED, which arrested Kejriwal on March 21, said that he was “consciously” consuming items such as tea with sugar, banana, sweets (1/2 pieces), poori, and aloo sabzi on a regular basis despite being a patient of type 2 diabetes.

On April 1, when Kejriwal was sent to Tihar jail, his counsel had moved an application requesting home-cooked food since he was severely diabetic. The court had allowed this application. Special Judge Baweja had also directed the jail to provide the CM with Isabgol, glucose, toffees and bananas in case of sudden fall in blood sugar levels.

The ED, meanwhile, said that the jail authorities have asked AIIMS to prescribe Kejriwal a medical diet after considering his blood sugar levels. The submissions made in court showed that Kejriwal’s blood sugar levels in the morning crossed the 200 mg/dl mark five times starting April 10 and was 280 mg/dl on the morning of April 12. As per the reports, it was 181 mg/dl Wednesday morning.

Kejriwal’s diet included eggs, poha, namkeen, banana, upma, uttapam, roti, puri sabzi, salad, rajma, rice, tea, mango, papaya and sweets, as per the submissions.

Representing Kejriwal, Advocate Vivek Jain said the diet he was following was recommended by the doctor. “Is the ED above the doctor?” asked Jain, stating that the probe agency was making statements only for the sake of publicity.

The court listed the matter for 2 pm on Friday and directed Tihar jail authorities to submit Kejriwal’s medical status report.