News Brief
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.
The Tihar Jail administration and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are embroiled in a heated exchange regarding the health condition of jailed Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
AAP leaders have asserted that Kejriwal is rapidly losing weight and his health is deteriorating in prison, while jail authorities claim that these allegations are aimed to hoodwink prison administration.
In response to AAP leaders' claims that Kejriwal has lost 8.5 kg since his imprisonment and that there is a conspiracy to harm him in jail, the Tihar Jail administration has now released a detailed update on his health status.
The jail authorities have reported that Kejriwal's weight was 65 kg on 1 April, the day he entered Tihar's Central Jail No 2. Upon being granted bail on 10 May following a Supreme Court ruling, he weighed 64 kg. When he surrendered again on 2 June, his weight was recorded at 63.5 kg. Currently, Kejriwal weighs 61.5 kg.
Rebutting claims that Kejriwal's blood sugar had dropped multiple times in jail, the jail report stated, "At present, the inmate's blood sugar is being monitored as advised by the medical board, and he is being provided treatment and diet as recommended. His vitals are within normal limits at present."
Earlier, AAP Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh had claimed that Kejriwal weighed 70 kg when he was arrested and has since dropped to 61.5 kg.
The jail authorities have stated that the weight loss can be caused due to "consumption of less quantity of food or low-calorie intake."
BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva has accused AAP leaders of conducting "drama" to "mislead" the court and secure bail for Kejriwal.
Kejriwal was arrested by ED on 21 March, after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him interim protection. He remained in custody thereafter, until the Supreme Court granted him benefit of interim release (for Lok Sabha elections campaigning) on 10 May.