Raised insulin issue repeatedly, Tihar officials under political pressure, says Arvind Kejriwal

The AAP national convenor contested the jail authorities' claim that AIIMS doctors had deemed his health condition not concerning.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Tihar Jail authorities on April 22, expressing concern that despite notifying them about his rising sugar levels, he was not receiving insulin as required, AAP sources have revealed. He accused the prison authorities of deceitfulness under "political pressure".

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The AAP national convenor contested the jail authorities' claim that AIIMS doctors had deemed his health condition not concerning. Citing newspaper reports, he expressed distress over what he termed as "false and misleading statements" made by prison authorities regarding his health. He alleged that these statements pertained to his requests for insulin administration and assertions from AIIMS doctors regarding the seriousness of his health condition.

According to party sources, Kejriwal penned the letter to the Superintendent of Tihar Jail after a 40-minute video conference was arranged with doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on April 20. Following the meeting, prison officials stated that the issue of insulin supply was not raised by the Delhi CM. Additionally, they stated that the doctors reassured him about his health, advising him to adhere to the prescribed medication regimen, which would be regularly evaluated.

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The Tihar Jail administration organised the video conference at the request of the chief minister's wife, Sunita Kejriwal. In addition to a senior specialist from AIIMS, medical officers from Tihar jail were also present during the call. The AIIMS specialist was furnished with comprehensive records of CGM (Glucose Monitoring Sensor) data, as well as details regarding Kejriwal's diet and medications, according to the official.

The jail administration submitted a report on April 19 to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena suggesting that Kejriwal's health had been assessed by a medicine specialist on April 10 and April 15. The specialist recommended oral anti-diabetic drugs and clarified that Kejriwal was never denied insulin during his treatment.