New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday dismissed an application by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, requesting daily 15-minute video consultations with his doctor regarding his acute diabetes and fluctuating blood sugar levels. Kejriwal also sought permission for his wife to join the video conferences. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Courts ruled that the jail authorities must ensure Kejriwal receives all necessary medical treatment while in jail.
The court directed the Tihar jail authorities to consult a medical board, to be constituted by the Director of AIIMS, in case Kejriwal requires special medical consultation in jail. This medical board will also decide whether Kejriwal requires insulin administration. Additionally, the board will prescribe a diet and exercise plan for Kejriwal. The court clarified that Kejriwal may have home-cooked food, provided it adheres to the diet prescribed by the medical board.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that Kejriwal intentionally consumed mangoes, sweets, and tea with sugar in jail to raise his blood sugar levels, in an attempt to gain bail. However, Kejriwal's representatives clarified that mangoes were included in his home-cooked meals only three times out of a total of 48 meals. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented Kejriwal, while Zobeh Hossain, special counsel, appeared for the ED.
The court was informed by jail authorities that Kejriwal was being monitored and was not facing any difficulties. Medical facilities were being provided to him. Kejriwal's application alleged that the ED, in collaboration with jail authorities, was conducting a media trial by falsely claiming that his diet in jail was raising his blood sugar levels. The plea stated that the ED raised an issue about a small portion of fruit (mango) included in Kejriwal's meals three times out of 48.
The application also stated, "ED has attempted to protect Jail Authorities by falsely alleging that sweets were consumed to raise sugar levels, knowing fully well that such items were sugar-free. ED also falsely claimed that Kejriwal was having tea with sugar to spike his sugar levels." Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the night of March 21. His judicial custody is set to expire on April 23.
On April 10, the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest. The court observed that the ED had provided enough material, including statements of approvers and the AAP's own candidate, indicating that Kejriwal had been given money for the Goa elections.
Kejriwal has challenged the Delhi High Court's order before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has issued a notice on the plea but refused to grant any interim relief.
AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are also accused in the case. While Sisodia remains in jail, Singh was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court. ED has alleged that Arvind Kejriwal is the "kingpin" of the Delhi excise scam and is directly involved in the use of proceeds of crime amounting to over Rs. 100 crores.
ED's case is that the excise policy was implemented as part of a conspiracy to provide wholesale business profit of 12 percent to certain private companies, although such a stipulation was not mentioned in the minutes of the Group of Ministers (GoM) meetings.
The Central agency has also claimed that there was a conspiracy coordinated by Vijay Nair and other individuals, along with the South Group, to give extraordinary profit margins to wholesalers. Nair allegedly acted on behalf of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.
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