Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Receives Insulin Jab in Jail
In a dramatic turn of events, prison officials in the Indian capital have administered an insulin jab to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after his sugar levels spiked, his party informed the BBC.
Kejriwal has been confined in Tihar jail since his arrest on 21 March, facing allegations of being involved in a money laundering case, which he vehemently denies.
The timing of his arrest, just weeks before the commencement of India’s general election, sent shockwaves across the nation, with many questioning the political motives behind the actions taken against him and other opposition parties.
While critics decry the move as politically motivated, the Indian government maintains that investigative agencies are simply carrying out their duties.
Being a diabetic, concerns have been raised about Kejriwal’s health during his pre-trial detention, which was extended by two weeks on Tuesday.
The situation has escalated into a war of words between Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), prison authorities, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Accusations from India’s financial crimes agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), claim that Kejriwal intentionally consumed excessive amounts of mangoes and sweets to manipulate his sugar levels for bail purposes, a charge vehemently denied by Kejriwal and his party.
After persistent requests for insulin went unanswered, Kejriwal finally received the necessary medication on Monday evening following a court order for doctors from AIIMS to intervene.
The AAP accused the BJP of deliberately withholding treatment from Kejriwal, while the BJP dismissed the claims as an attempt to garner sympathy during the ongoing general election.
Kejriwal’s arrest is linked to Delhi’s controversial alcohol sales policy, with the AAP government facing allegations of favoring liquor barons in exchange for kickbacks.
Kejriwal has denounced his arrest as illegal and criticized the lack of specific charges brought against him by the ED.
