Arvind Kejriwal was administered insulin for the first time in Tihar Jail on Tuesday after his blood sugar level rose to 320. On Monday, he had accused prison authorities of “denying” him insulin despite repeated requests.
Also, it was the first insulin dose the Delhi Chief Minister received since his arrest on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.
Source told News18 that Kejriwal’s sugar level has been constantly rising.
“Insulin was given to Delhi CM on the suggestion of a doctor from AIIMS,” they said.
Kejriwal was given two point low doses of insulin, source said, adding that before dinner, his blood sugar level was above 200.
After being administered insulin, Kejriwal’s blood sugar level was under control, sources said.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wrote, “Finally BJP and its jail administration came to their senses and gave INSULIN to CM Kejriwal in jail. CM Kejriwal’s sugar level had reached 320. This has been possible only due to the blessings of Lord Hanuman and the struggle of the people of Delhi. We have succeeded in delivering insulin to our Chief Minister.”
According to doctors, more than two unexpected blood sugar readings over 250 mg/dL require medical attention and patients are often put on insulin.
On Monday, Kejriwal said he had been requesting insulin daily as he is a Type-2 diabetic patient and has high blood sugar levels.
Kejriwal also dismissed assurances by the AIIMS doctors that his health was fine and there were no serious concerns.
A Delhi court on Monday directed AIIMS to form a medical board to assess Kejriwal’s medical needs, particularly regarding insulin. The court highlighted discrepancies between the Delhi CM’s dietary regimen which consisted of home-cooked food and the doctor-prescribed diet.
Earlier, Kejriwal-led AAP accused the Tihar Jail administration of denying insulin to the Delhi CM and of a “conspiracy” to “kill” him.
The jail authorities had also submitted a report to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on April 19, saying the chief minister’s health was reviewed on April 10 and 15 by a medicine specialist who advised oral anti-diabetic drugs. The letter also mentioned that it was “incorrect to state that Kejriwal was denied insulin at any point” during the treatment.
Responding to why the letter was submitted to Delhi LG, Tihar Jail Director General (Prison), Sanjay Beniwal said, “The LG is our executive head and not just this issue but he seeks report from us on other issues as well. There is nothing new. This is very natural, very normal. We have replied to the queries raised. We have submitted to the court…”
On reports of Kejriwal losing weight, Beniwal said “The Delhi CM is living a normal life, as every other inmate.”
Beniwal further said there is a fixed time for giving food and through a court order, the Delhi CM has been getting home food. “If it takes 5 to 7 minutes till the time it reaches him after checking, it is bound to happen. Around 900-1,000 inmates have diabetes… I am managing these patients every day out of the inmate population. For me, these are not issues but if people raise it for political issues I do not enter into that,” he said.
Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi claimed that Kejriwal has been a diabetic patient for the last 30 years.
With inputs from agencies
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