New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court seeking a seven-day extension of his interim bail, saying he needs to undergo a clutch of medical tests to ascertain the reason for weight loss and high ketone levels, “which could be indicative of kidney damage, serious cardiac ailments and even cancer.”
Kejriwal had on 10 May obtained interim bail from the apex court in the excise policy case till 1 June for campaigning in the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections. Since then, the AAP national convener has been addressing poll meetings, holding rallies and roadshows across the country.
However, the AAP had sounded alarm bells regarding his health even while he was in jail between 21 March and 10 May. The party had alleged that he was being denied insulin in jail despite being a diabetic and, thus, showing erratic sugar levels. Eventually, he was given a low dose of insulin on 22 April after jail authorities consulted AIIMS doctors.
On Monday, AAP sources told ThePrint that during his time in jail, following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kejriwal developed health complications “which is also partly attributable to the negligent and callous behaviour of the jail authorities”. The CM lost six to seven kg, developed “unusually high blood glucose level”, and high ketone levels, the sources claimed.
“The appellant has not been able to regain the lost weight even after his release on interim bail and renewing his earlier lifestyle to the extent possible…the appellant may have also developed kidney related complications and kidney damage,” an AAP functionary said, quoting from Kejriwal’s plea filed on 26 May.
The decision to file the plea was taken following home consultation by a senior physician from Max Hospitals, the functionary said, adding that the doctor had prescribed a host of full body tests.
“It is on account of this that a senior physician from Max Hospital upon a detailed clinical examination of the Appellant at his home on 25th May has directed a host of tests including but not limited to tests such as whole body PET-CT to rule out any malignancies and Holter Monitor Test, where the Appellant will be required to wear a holter monitor for a few days while going about his daily activities to identify any irregularities in his heart functioning.
“These tests are to be done in a particular sequence and require about 5-7 days in all to complete. Sudden and unexplained weight loss, coupled with high ketone levels could be indicative of kidney damage, serious cardiac ailments and even cancer. Early detection of these ailments is essential for preventing further progress of the disease and associated life risk. It is to be noted that the Appellant needs to undergo the test, otherwise his life is at high risk,” the AAP source said, quoting from the plea.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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