Health Concerns Surround Arvind Kejriwal’s Incarceration: AAP and Tihar Jail Authorities Lock Horns

The health of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has become a contentious issue between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Tihar Jail authorities. The AAP has expressed concerns about Kejriwal’s well-being, claiming that he has lost nearly 9 kg while in judicial custody, which they believe is indicative of a serious disease. On the other hand, Tihar officials insist that Kejriwal is being monitored by an AIIMS medical team and that his health is stable.

AAP leaders, including senior party leader Sanjay Singh, have repeatedly voiced concerns about Kejriwal’s health since his arrest earlier this year. Singh claimed that Kejriwal had lost 8.5 kg in jail and that his blood sugar level had dropped to as low as 50 mg/dL, which he warned could lead to a coma or even a brain stroke. Singh also pointed out that Kejriwal is suffering from Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Delhi minister Atishi, during a press conference, alleged a conspiracy to cause “permanent damage” to Kejriwal’s health and flagged an “unexplained” drop in his weight. She emphasized that if Kejriwal’s sugar levels remain low, he may slip into a coma while sleeping, and there is also a risk of a brain stroke.

However, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit has criticized the AAP for politicizing Kejriwal’s health. Dikshit accused the AAP of lying and urged its leaders to increase their credibility. He stated that AAP has a habit of spreading false information, citing instances from 2012-13.

Tihar jail sources, on the other hand, claimed that Kejriwal had lost only 2 kg and was being monitored regularly. A letter from the jail administration to the state Home Department rejected the AAP’s allegations, stating that Kejriwal’s weight had fluctuated between 65 kg and 66 kg during his incarceration. The letter also mentioned that his blood sugar levels were being monitored, and he was receiving treatment and diet as advised by the medical board.

The jail superintendent insisted that Kejriwal was being provided home-cooked food thrice a day and that his vitals were within normal limits. The letter attributed the loss of weight to a possible reduction in food intake or low calorie consumption.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with a corruption case related to Delhi’s liquor policy. He was granted temporary bail to participate in the Lok Sabha election campaign and was asked to return to Tihar Jail on June 2. Although the Supreme Court has granted him interim bail in the ED case, Kejriwal remains behind bars in a corruption case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

This controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the AAP and Tihar Jail authorities, with both sides presenting conflicting information about Kejriwal’s health. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this will impact Kejriwal’s well-being and the political landscape of Delhi.

Historical Context:

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has been a prominent figure in Indian politics since the 2010s. He co-founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2012 and led the party to a historic victory in the 2013 Delhi Assembly elections. Kejriwal has been known for his anti-corruption stance and has been involved in several high-profile corruption cases. In 2014, he was arrested and charged with corruption, but was later granted bail. In 2022, he was arrested again by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a corruption case related to Delhi’s liquor policy.

The controversy surrounding Kejriwal’s health is not the first time that his well-being has been a topic of concern. In 2013, Kejriwal went on a 56-hour fast to protest against corruption, which led to concerns about his health. He has also been open about his struggles with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has expressed concerns about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s health, claiming he has lost nearly 9 kg while in judicial custody and is suffering from a serious disease. • Tihar Jail authorities insist that Kejriwal’s health is stable and that he is being monitored by an AIIMS medical team. • AAP leaders claim that Kejriwal’s blood sugar level has dropped to as low as 50 mg/dL, which could lead to a coma or brain stroke. • Tihar Jail sources claim that Kejriwal has lost only 2 kg and is being provided with regular medical care. • The jail administration has rejected AAP’s allegations, stating that Kejriwal’s weight has fluctuated between 65 kg and 66 kg during his incarceration. • Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March 2022 in connection with a corruption case related to Delhi’s liquor policy. • He was granted temporary bail to participate in the Lok Sabha election campaign and was asked to return to Tihar Jail on June 2. • The Supreme Court has granted him interim bail in the ED case, but he remains behind bars in a corruption case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. • The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the AAP and Tihar Jail authorities, with both sides presenting conflicting information about Kejriwal’s health.