Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said he will surrender before the police at Tihar Jail on Sunday. The Aam Aadmi Party chief, who is currently out on interim bail, claimed his body has lately shown symptoms of a serious disease.
Arvind Kejriwal said he needs to undergo a battery of medical tests to rule out the possibility of any serious disease. He also appealed to the people of Delhi to take care of his ailing parents.
“The Supreme Court had given me 21 days to campaign for the elections. The day after tomorrow I will go back to Tihar Jail. I don’t know how long these people will keep me in jail this time. But my spirits are high. I am proud that I am going to jail to save the country from dictatorship. They tried to break me in many ways, tried to silence me, but they did not succeed. When I was in jail, they tortured me in many ways. They stopped my medicines… I don’t know what these people wanted. Why did they do this?” said Arvind Kejriwal, reported ANI.
Arvind Kejriwal said he has lost nearly 10 percent of his body weight since he went to jail . He said he hasn’t gained any weight since he was released on interim bail. He expressed apprehension that weight loss could be a symptom of an underlying illness.
“When I went to jail, my weight was 70 kg, today it is 64 kg. Even after being released from jail, I am not gaining weight. Doctors are saying that this can also be a sign of some serious disease in the body. Many tests need to be done,” said Kejriwal.
The Aam Aadmi Party chief said he will leave his house for the Tihar Jail at 3 pm.
Kejriwal vowed that he would work for the development of the national capital from inside the jail.
“It is possible that this time they may torture me more, but I will not bow down… Wherever I live, inside or outside. I will not let the work of Delhi stop. Your free electricity, mohalla clinics, hospitals, free medicines, treatment, 24-hour electricity and many other things will continue and after returning I will also start giving ₹1000 every month to every mother and sister. Today I want to ask something from you for my family. My parents are very old. My mother is very ill. I worry a lot about her in jail. Take care of my parents after me, pray for them,” he added.
Arvind Kejriwal and several AAP leaders are accused of accepting kickbacks in return for formulating a liquor policy favouring the interests of a group of businessmen and politicians.
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court accorded him a 21-day respite from jail despite the Enforcement Directorate’s objection, to allow him to campaign for his party in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court refused to hear his plea seeking an extension of interim bail, saying he had the liberty to approach the trial court.
Arvind Kejriwal moved a court in Delhi on Thursday seeking regular bail in the excise policy case.
Get the latest news updates and stay informed with FELA NEWS!