Arvind Kejriwal Vs ED: Delhi CM Slams Charge Over Jail Diet, Asks 'Am I Going To Risk Paralysis To Get Bail?'

Arvind Kejriwal Vs ED: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal denies consuming high-sugar foods, as alleged by the ED, to secure bail on medical grounds. He also dismissed assertions about consuming Mangoes.

Arvind Kejriwal Vs ED: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of politicising his dietary habits during his time in jail, dismissing their claims as petty and malicious. Kejriwal asserted before a court that his food intake strictly adhered to a diet chart prescribed by his doctor. The ED had alleged that Kejriwal, who has type 2 diabetes, was regularly consuming high-sugar foods like mangoes and sweets in jail, potentially to seek medical bail.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, vehemently challenged this assertion, stating, "The allegation is that I have been consuming mangoes... Out of 48 meals sent from home, only three times mangoes were there." "ED claimed that I want to increase my blood sugar levels to get bail. Am I going to risk paralysis to get bail? Whatever food I have is as per the diet chart prepared by my doctor prior to arrest," Singhvi told the court, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Singhvi further clarified, "No mangoes have been sent after April 8. Mangoes have been made to look like sugar bullets. Their sugar level (glycemic index) is much less than brown rice or white rice." He emphasised that Kejriwal's meals were in line with the prescribed diet and refuted the ED's portrayal of his dietary habits.

"I only use sugar free (an artificial sugar brand) in my tea. How petty, political and ridiculous ED can be? Their statements are completely false and malicious. Just because you have a lot of influence in the media you are able to publish that I am having aaloo puri even though this meal was sent only once during pooja," he remarked, as quoted by PTI.

Delhi CM Kejriwal Seeks Daily Virtual Consultations With Doctor, ED Opposes Plea

Kejriwal, having withdrawn his petition for consulting his doctor thrice a week on Thursday due to his fluctuating sugar levels, submitted a fresh plea on Friday. He now seeks consultations with his physician for 15 minutes every day. Expressing his dismay, Kejriwal questioned whether being a prisoner deprived him of the right to a dignified life and good health. "Am I a gangster that I cannot even be allowed to have 15 minutes VC (video conference) consultation with my doctor?" he questioned, as per PTI's report. Senior Advocate Singhvi, reproachfully remarked, "We have had democracy for 75 years but I am seeing such an approach for the first time. Never seen such kind of pettiness."

Kejriwal's counsel criticised the ED's tactics, questioning their relevance in the court proceedings. "What has ED got to do with this hearing? He (ED) is not a party. It is between me and jail and court?" remarked senior advocate Ramesh Gupta, who also represented Kejriwal.

In response to Kejriwal's plea for daily consultations with his doctor, the ED opposed it, claiming that the food being consumed did not align with the prescribed diet. However, Kejriwal's legal team argued for his right to access proper medical care, highlighting the importance of his health and dignity even as a prisoner.

The court has reserved its order on Kejriwal's application for daily consultations with his doctor and directed Tihar jail authorities to respond if necessary by Saturday.

AAP Vs BJP On CM Kejriwal's Diet And Insulin

Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi during a press conference reiterated the party's charge that the Delhi Chief Minister is being "denied" insulin questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP over opposition to Arvind Kejriwal's appeal.

"Arvind Kejriwal is being denied insulin inside the Tihar Jail. The Tihar Jail administration, ED and the Centre opposed Arvind Kejriwal's appeal for providing insulin during hearing in the court today.  The BJP, PM Modi should tell why the Centre is opposing Arvind Kejriwal's application demanding insulin and medicines in jail. Why the ED, Tihar administration were opposing it?"

On the other hand, the BJP emphasised CM Kejriwal consuming eggs during Navrata and questioned him for consuming mangoes despite Type 2 Diabetes. 

"Arvind Kejriwal knows what he should eat and what he should not. However, one thing that amazes me is why he was eating eggs during Navratri. I thought he avoided eggs, at least this is what he used to show earlier. Beyond that, why would any government agency take responsibility for his bad health and try to create any harm to his life?..." Shazia Ilmi remarked.

She denied that he was refused insulin and added, "He is alleging that the jail authorities are giving him food that can harm him. Since the time he is in custody, he has had jail food only twice, otherwise, he eats only home food for which he made a request and was given permission... Anyone who has type-2 diabetes, would not consume mangoes. He has had the diabetes problem for a long time now. He knows what he should eat and what he shouldn't..."

On this, Atishi emphasised that CM Kejriwal's diet chart was changed completely during Navratri and said the claim on consuming eggs was "baseless."

"BJP has stooped so low that it is making fun of Kejriwal's illness for a few votes... The more BJP attacks Kejriwal, the more votes the people of Delhi will give to make AAP and Kejriwal win. The people of Delhi will never forgive the BJP, even God will not forgive them," she said.

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday told a Delhi court that CM Kejriwal was deliberately eating mangoes and sweets, and consuming tea with sugar to raise his blood sugar level and use that to secure bail on medical grounds. The Delhi court then asked Tihar Jail authorities to give provide the diet chart of the AAP national convenor.