NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor raises health concerns over CM Kejriwal’s jail diet, AAP accuses BJP of conspiracy amid ongoing legal battles.
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V.K. Saxena, has expressed serious concern regarding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s non-compliance with prescribed medical diets and medications while in jail. In a letter to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, the L.G. has called for an investigation into the reasons behind Kejriwal’s deviation from his prescribed medical regimen, citing potential medical and legal ramifications.
The L.G.’s office issued a statement on Saturday, highlighting reports that Kejriwal is not adhering to his prescribed diet in jail. The letter emphasised the importance of Kejriwal following the prescribed dosages of medicine and insulin, given his history of type II diabetes mellitus. It also called for strict protocols to monitor Kejriwal’s blood sugar levels to avoid any health ambiguities.
The letter, citing a report from the prison superintendent, noted several instances of Kejriwal’s willful low-calorie intake despite being provided with sufficient home-cooked food. The report indicated a weight loss from 63.5 kg on June 20, 2024, to 61.5 kg, which appears to be due to reduced calorie intake. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticized the L.G.’s actions, questioning his intentions and alleging a genuine threat to Kejriwal’s life. AAP senior leader Sanjay Singh posted on X (formerly Twitter), questioning the L.G.’s understanding of diabetes and the implications of low blood sugar levels. Delhi Minister Atishi Marlena echoed these concerns, highlighting the dangers of fluctuating sugar levels for a long-term diabetes patient like Kejriwal.
Atishi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conspiring to harm Kejriwal, claiming that his sugar levels have dangerously dropped below 50 on multiple occasions. She warned that such conditions could lead to a coma, brain stroke, or even death, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences of not adhering to medical protocols.
The Delhi High Court has recently stayed the trial court’s order granting bail to Kejriwal, also accepting the Enforcement Directorate’s request for a stay on the trial court’s decision in the excise policy money laundering case. A hearing is scheduled for August 7 to consider the Enforcement Directorate’s plea challenging the trial court’s decision to grant bail to Kejriwal.
The L.G.’s letter also mentioned specific instances where Kejriwal did not follow his prescribed diet and insulin regimen. On July 6, 2024, Kejriwal skipped his prescribed diet and received varying units of insulin before meals.
The pattern continued on July 7, with Kejriwal refusing insulin before breakfast and lunch.
Senior AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh have raised alarms about Kejriwal’s deteriorating health, attributing his significant weight loss to inadequate medical care in jail. They noted that Kejriwal’s weight had dropped from 70 kg to 61.5 kg since his arrest, warning that such sudden weight loss could indicate serious health issues.
The AAP leaders stressed the urgent need to remove Kejriwal from jail for proper medical examination and treatment, criticising the central government’s refusal to release him. They cautioned that without immediate intervention, Kejriwal’s life remains at serious risk.