Kejriwal eating sweets: ED on CM's plea to consult doctor
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has contested a request by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, currently detained in Tihar Jail, to consult his personal physician via video call. Kejriwal, a Type 2 diabetes patient, has been receiving medication while in custody. The ED rejected the plea in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, citing that Kejriwal continues to consume sweets and mangoes—foods typically not recommended for diabetics. Zuhaib Hussain, the ED's legal counsel, even alleged that Kejriwal was doing so to secure bail.
Why does this story matter?
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in a money laundering probe linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. He is currently under judicial remand till April 23. According to the Aam Aadmi Party, Kejriwal's health has been deteriorating. On April 3, the party said that Kejriwal had lost around 4.5kg weight since his arrest. As a diabetic patient, Kejriwal had reportedly also been experiencing fluctuations in his blood sugar levels since. The authorities in Tihar Jail had denied the claims.
Kejriwal's lawyer counters ED's claims, court awaits report
Kejriwal's legal team has refuted the ED's claims, stating that all food items on his diet chart were approved by his doctor. His attorney accused the ED of trying to halt the provision of home-cooked meals, which was permitted by the court due to Kejriwal's medical condition. "He is only eating what is prescribed by doctors. ED is trying to stop supply of home-cooked food. This concerns the health of the CM," argued Vivek Jain, Kejriwal's lawyer.
Court requests report from jail officials
The court has requested a report from jail officials and postponed further proceedings until Friday. Separately, on April 15, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the ED on an appeal filed by Kejriwal. The plea challenges his arrest. Kejriwal moved the top court challenging a Delhi High Court judgment that dismissed his plea on April 9. The SC bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta has scheduled the next hearing for April 29.
Kejriwal continues Delhi CM from Tihar Jail
To recall, despite his detention, Kejriwal continues to serve as the CM of the national capital. He is the first sitting chief minister to be arrested by a law enforcement agency. There are no legal or constitutional restrictions preventing the AAP national convener from continuing his duties as chief minister. However, legal experts have raised doubts about the practicality of such an arrangement.
