National

Kejriwal A Severe Diabetic, Lost 4.5 Kgs Since Arrest, Says AAP's Atishi; Tihar Jail Responds

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case and is lodged in Tihar jail of Delhi as part of his judicial custody till April 15.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
PTI
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal | Photo: PTI
info_icon

After Aam Aadmi Party claimed that their jailed leader Arvind Kejriwal was drastically losing weight since his arrest on March 21, Tihar jail issued a statement and said that the Delhi chief minister's vitals have been normal, adding that his weight is "constant at 65 kg since arrival to jail and till date."

AAP leader Atishi made the claim over Arvind Kejriwal's health on Wednesday and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of putting his health at risk by keeping him in jail.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case and is lodged in Tihar jail of Delhi as part of his judicial custody till April 15.

Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi took to X and wrote: "Arvind Kejriwal ji is a severe diabetic. Despite health issues, he remained engaged 24 hours a day in the service of the country. Since his arrest, Kejriwal's weight has decreased by 4.5 kg. This is very worrying. The BJP is putting his health at risk by putting him in jail."

If something happens to Arvind Kejriwal, not just the whole country, even God will not forgive them, she added.

What Did Tihar Jail Say On Kejriwal's Health

Responding to the claims that Arvind Kejriwal is not doing well in prison, Tihar jail said in an official statement that since his arrival on April 1, he was examined by two doctors, adding that all his vitals were normal.

"Also, his weight is constant at 65 kg, since arrival to jail and till date," Tihar jail said.

Home-cooked food is being provided as per the court order, the jail authorities added.

Delhi High Court To Hear Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Against Arrest Today

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy on Wednesday. The plea is listed for hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was the "kingpin" and the "key conspirator" of the "excise scam." The federal agency opposed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener's petition challenging his arrest in the money laundering case.

In its reply filed to the petition, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated that there were "reasons to believe on the basis of material in possession" that Kejriwal was "guilty of the offence of money laundering."

Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21, has sought his release on the grounds that the arrest was illegal. He is currently in judicial custody until April 15 after his arrest last month by the ED in connection with a money-laundering case. Kejriwal is lodged in Tihar jail.

Kejriwal In Tihar Jail: Delhi CM Spends Restless Night, Sugar Level Low

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal spent a restless first night inside his 14X8 feet cell in jail number two at Tihar jail and managed to sleep only for a while, a prison official had said.

The Delhi chief minister was allowed to have home-cooked food in Tihar jail. On Tuesday morning, Kejriwal's sugar level was low, reports said. He was under the watch of Tihar jail doctors as his sugar level kept fluctuating, officials said.

On Monday, Kejriwal was brought to Tihar jail at 4 pm followed by a medical examination before being sent to his cell where he is staying alone.

According to the prison officials, the chief minister was given tea in the afternoon and was served home-cooked food for dinner. He has also been given a mattress, blankets and two pillows.

His sugar level was below 50 at that time and medicines were given to him on the advice of doctors, officials said.