Arvind Kejriwal lost 4.5 kg since arrest, BJP putting his health at risk by keeping him in jail: Atishi

AAP leader Atishi. File Pic

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been rapidly losing weight since his arrest on March 21, senior AAP leader Atishi claimed on Wednesday and accused the BJP of putting his health at risk by keeping him in jail, reported news agency PTI.

She said the Aam Aadmi Party will seek legal help over the chief minister's health condition, reported PTI.

However, the administration of Tihar jail, where Kejriwal is lodged till April 15, has denied the claims over his health. A senior Tihar jail official said Kejriwal's vitals are normal, reported PTI.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. He has been sent to judicial custody till April 15.

"Arvind Kejriwal ji is a severe diabetic. Despite health issues, he remained engaged 24 hours a day in the service of the country. Since his arrest, Kejriwal's weight has decreased by 4.5 kg. This is very worrying. The BJP is putting his health at risk by putting him in jail," she alleged in a post on X in Hindi.

If something happens to Arvind Kejriwal, not just the whole country, even God will not forgive them, she added.

Later, at a press conference, the Delhi minister said, "Today, the Delhi High Court will hear a plea challenging his arrest by ED. After the court decides on it, we will seek legal help over his health situation," reported PTI.

Alleging that Kejriwal has been put behind bars in a "false case", Atishi said they are closely monitoring his health condition.

"The whole country is watching. For a severely diabetic patient, if their sugar levels fall below 50 mg/dL, it is extremely worrying. While he was in ED custody, his sugar levels fell thrice, including one time when it came down to 46 mg/dL," she said, reported PTI.

Atishi claimed that in the last 12 days, his weight has reduced by 4.5 kgs, which poses a health risk, reported PTI.

The Delhi chief minister has been allowed to have home-cooked food in Tihar jail. On Tuesday morning, Kejriwal's sugar level was low. He was under the watch of Tihar jail doctors as his sugar level kept fluctuating, officials have said.

(With inputs from PTI)