Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its order on a plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, seeking directions to Tihar jail authorities to administer insulin and allow him to consult doctors via video conferencing daily for 15 minutes due to his acute diabetes and fluctuating blood sugar levels.
The Judge
After hearing extensive submissions from all parties involved, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja announced, “I will pass the order on April 22, 2024. Meanwhile, we have requested Tihar Jail Authorities to submit a detailed reply from both the Enforcement Directorate and Tihar Jail Authorities by tomorrow.”
The Arguments
During the arguments, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, stated, “The allegations are that I have been consuming mangoes… Out of 48 meals sent from home, only three times mangoes were included. Mangoes have not been sent after April 8. In an attempt to preempt and cover up the issue, jail authorities, in collaboration with the ED, have sought to conduct a media trial by alleging that the Applicant’s sugar levels are rising due to his diet.” Singhvi further clarified that the aloo poori subzi was consumed by Kejriwal during Navratra as Prashad only.
Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta, also representing Kejriwal, objected to the ED’s submissions, stating, “ED has nothing to do with this. Kejriwal is under judicial custody now, not in ED custody. ED is just trying to say, ‘Aam Aadmi mango nahi kha sakta hai.’ ‘Aam Aadmi aam nahi khayega to kya mushroom khayega,'” he sarcastically remarked.
Speaking to the media, Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta alleged, “The jail authorities have filed a report from AIIMS without having examined the patient.”
Representing Tihar Jail, counsel submitted, “Kejriwal is not following the prescribed diet. We have also obtained an opinion from AIIMS, suggesting that he should avoid mangoes, grapes, bananas, and lychee-type fruits. There seems to be a variation in the diet chart provided on April 1, which allowed home-cooked food.” The lawyer further stated, “There is a suggestion that the home-cooked food should adhere to the AIIMS report. If not, I’ll be forced to suggest that home-cooked food shall not be allowed as per the jail manual.”
Tihar jail counsel further emphasized, “It is incorrect to say that he is not being monitored or facing any difficulties. All necessary facilities have been provided. Allegations made in fresh applications call for a reply.”
Kejriwal’s plea stated, “During consultations with Dr. Ravichandra Rao through video conferencing, allow his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, to join and remain present.”
The plea further revealed, “From February 1, 2024, under careful medical supervision, Kejriwal started the ‘Insulin Reversal Programme’ and insulin administration was discontinued. Due to arrest on March 21, 2024, Kejriwal was unable to follow the said programme.”
The plea also alleged, “It is shocking that from the date of his arrest, Kejriwal has not been administered insulin to control his sugar levels. While in judicial custody, he was seen by a doctor who is not even a diabetologist.”
Kejriwal’s plea concluded by stating, “It is shocking that ED apprehends that a person would deliberately cause such an alarming hike in sugar level and risk his life to get medical bail. This only demonstrates a serious lack of probity, fairness, and the vendetta and arbitrariness with which ED is conducting itself unabashedly against the Applicant.”
