CM Kejriwal

The court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja was hearing an application moved by Kejriwal seeking regular medical checkups to assess his sugar levels and online consultation with a doctor thrice a week. “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 AAP hit back, alleging that the ED and BJP were “conspiring to kill Kejriwal” and that he had been “denied insulin” in Tihar jail.

“Kejriwalji 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.

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 Saxena has asked DG Prisons to submit a factual and comprehensive report on the matter within 24 hours.”

In its submissions in court, the ED, which arrested Kejriwal on March 21, said 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.