The Delhi High Court has issued a significant directive regarding the medical care and hospitalization of climate and social activist Sonam Wangchuk. In a recent hearing, the court ordered that Wangchuk be discharged from the government-run Safdarjung Hospital and subsequently admitted to Medanta Hospital for further medical attention. This decision follows a legal intervention concerning the activist's health status and the conditions of his ongoing treatment.
Legal Proceedings and Government Consent
During the court proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Central Government, expressed his concurrence with the proposal to shift the activist to a private facility. However, Mehta placed a specific condition before the court, stating that Wangchuk shouldn't be discharged from Medanta Hospital without the explicit consent and recommendation of the attending doctors, while after considering these submissions, the High Court formally directed the authorities to facilitate the immediate transfer of Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital.
Appeal by Gitanjali Angmo
The court's order came during the hearing of an appeal filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo. She had approached the court to challenge a previous order by a single judge bench which had dismissed her plea to move Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta. In response to her appeal, the court not only ordered the transfer but also mandated that all existing medical test reports be handed over to a specialized panel of doctors at Medanta Hospital, while Also, the court instructed the hospital administration at Medanta to constitute a dedicated panel of doctors to oversee his treatment and recovery.
Court Directives on Medical Reports
Prior to this decision, on Monday, the Delhi High Court had ordered both the Central Government and Wangchuk's wife to ensure that all medical examination reports were available. The court had also summoned the doctors involved in his care to be present during the proceedings. During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal represented Sonam Wangchuk, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma appeared for the Centre and the Delhi Police. Medical professionals from both the public and private sectors who had been monitoring Wangchuk's health were also in attendance to provide their expert inputs.
Safdarjung Hospital Administration Statement
Before the transfer order, the administration at Safdarjung Hospital had provided an update on Wangchuk's health, stating that his vital parameters were stable, while however, the hospital noted that his blood-related parameters required close and continuous monitoring by medical experts. The hospital confirmed that Wangchuk was receiving consistent medical treatment and that a team of specialists was keeping a vigilant eye on his health condition to prevent any sudden deterioration.
Background of the Hunger Strike
Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly moved to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police from Jantar Mantar on Saturday, which marked the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike. He had commenced his fast on June 28 in support of a movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protest was centered around alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and included a demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk's health had become a point of concern as his protest entered its third week, leading to the current legal and medical developments.