"Had Mangoes Only Thrice, Sweets 6 Times In Jail": Arvind Kejriwal's Lawyer

Did Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal - in Tihar Jail on corruption charges linked to the alleged liquor policy scam - eat mangoes while behind bars? Did his tea have sugar or a non-calorific sweetener? And how many times did he eat aloo-puri? These are the questions at the heart of the latest row between the Aam Aadmi Party leader - a Type 2 diabetes patient - and the Enforcement Directorate, which had opposed his request for daily 15-minute video consults with his doctor.

The AAP has claimed a "conspiracy to kill" the Delhi Chief Minister, who reportedly requires insulin twice a day. On Thursday evening Mr Kejriwal's party colleague, Atishi, alleged the AAP leader had not been given the required dose - life-saving for a patient with severe diabetes - "despite repeated requests".

The AAP had petitioned the court for directions to ensure insulin is supplied.

The court, on Friday afternoon, reserved its verdict.

READ | After AAP's "Plan To Kill" Claim, Kejriwal's Court Plea For Insulin

Earlier, in a detailed statement submitted to the court, Mr Kejriwal countered each of the ED's arguments against allowing him a video consultation with his doctor. The ED had argued the Chief Minister regularly ate mangoes and sweets, and drunk tea with copious amounts of sugar.

READ | AAP Claims "Plan To Kill Kejriwal In Jail" In "Eating Mangoes" Row

Mr Kejriwal's Insulin Schedule

Noting the "applicant" has been a diabetes patient for 22 years, the document states he had been receiving injections of insulin twice a day for the past 12 years. These doses are 28 units of Novarapid (before meals) and 22 units of Lanctus (at night), for a total of 50 units, the document said.

The statement claimed Mr Kejriwal had been advised to discontinue insulin injections from February 1 "under careful medical supervision". Mr Kejriwal said he was then told to follow a "daily medical and dietary" schedule that includes regular exercise. However, after his arrest (on March 21), the Chief Minister said he had been "incapacitated and unable to follow (the new schedule)".

He was, therefore, returned to his course of injections. "However, to this date since his arrest, applicant has not been administered insulin to control his sugar levels," the AAP leader's lawyer told the court.

Arvind Kejriwal And Mangoes

On the ED's allegations - that Mr Kejriwal regularly consumes mangoes and other food not advised for diabetes patients - the hit back strongly, even providing dates on which fruit was sent.

He, however, said mangoes had been sent in only three of the 48 meals sent so far; Mr Kejriwal has been allowed to have home-cooked food and bottled drinking water given his medical condition. He also argued the sugar levels of a mango are, in fact, lower than white or brown rice.

READ | Arvind Kejriwal In 14x8 Feet Cell. See What All Court Has Allowed

Atishi, in a strong statement this week, slammed the ED for telling the court Mr Kejriwal was "regularly consuming foods not permitted for any diabetic patient". "This is a complete lie... Kejriwalji is allowed to tea and sweets with a sweetener (as) prescribed by the doctor," she said.

Today, he repeated that point - the sweets are sugar-free and were provided only six times.

The Aloo-Puri Row

This, both Atishi and the Chief Minister's court submission said, was only provided during Navratri.

"ED people... fear God! The diet chart you deposited in court shows Kejriwalji had this only on one day - first day of Navratri. Will you not let us eat even Navratri prasad (offerings)?" Atishi had said.

She also slammed the ED over claims Mr Kejriwal is eating bananas to increase his blood sugar level, which reportedly fell to a dangerously low 46 Mg when he was first incarcerated. "I would like to say to the ED... talk to any diabetes doctor. Patients are told to keep banana and some kind of toffee..."

"If the ED read the court order, it is clearly written that when Kejriwalji is in ED custody, or jail, he must always have some kind of toffee and banana (with him)," she said, referring to a direction that the AAP leader be allowed home-cooked food, bottled drinking water, and a supply of toffees.

Why Was Arvind Kejriwal Arrested?

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam in the national capital. The probe agency believes the Chief Minister played a key role in drafting the now-scrapped policy and seeking bribes, or kickbacks, in return for liquor licences.

The AAP and Mr Kejriwal have refused all charges and called the arrest and case "political vendetta", coming as it did, weeks before the Lok Sabha election.

READ | Kejriwal To Stay In Jail For Now, Top Court Refuses Early Hearing

Mr Kejriwal has challenged his arrest in the Supreme Court. However, the top court has refused an early hearing. He must now wait till April 29, when the court reconvenes to hear the ED's reply.

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