Insulin not being given to Kejriwal in jail, claims AAP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi minister Atishi on Friday claimed that chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is a severe diabetic, is being tortured by not being provided insulin and other medicines.

She claimed this would be the first time in the history of independent India that a person in judicial custody (jail) is being prevented from taking his medicines.

Hitting back, the BJP said that the party should refrain from making such “sensational statements” and that “all of us wish for his long life.”

Speaking to the media, the Delhi minister said, “Arvind Kejriwal has been suffering from diabetes for 30 years. His doctor has written that earlier he used to give 54 units of insulin. But the BJP-ruled Central government is conspiring against him, stopping his medicines, and refusing to give him insulin.”

“This would never have happened in the history of independent India.

Whenever an ordinary prisoner falls ill, the medicines prescribed by his doctor are given to the prisoner. But today Arvind Kejriwal is being refused his insulin inside Tihar jail,” she said.

Questioning the rationale behind sharing the health details of Mr Kejriwal by the Tihar administration with the ED, Ms Atishi said the only work of the ED is to investigate money laundering.

“Was ED investigating whether the Aam Aadmi Party had mixed cash in Arvind Kejriwal's bread or had put `45 crore instead of sweetener in Arvind Kejriwal’s tea? Was ED investigating this? Why were the details of Arvind Kejriwal’s diet and medical conditions sent to the ED?” she asked.

Earlier in the day, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also alleged that a “deep conspiracy” is being hatched against Mr Kejriwal and any kind of accident can happen with him in prison.

AAP leaders will meet the Election Commission and the President of India to raise the issue, he said.