- India,
- 19-Jul-2026 05:38 PM IST
The Delhi High Court has delivered a significant ruling regarding the medical care of social activist Sonam Wangchuk. The court has refused to grant any interim relief on the plea seeking to shift Wangchuk from the state-run Safdarjung Hospital to the private Medanta Hospital. During the proceedings, the court clarified that Sonam Wangchuk's treatment will continue at Safdarjung Hospital for the time being. However, in a move to address the concerns of his family, the court has granted permission for his relatives to meet him and has directed the hospital administration to provide a separate rest room for them within the premises.
Court Issues Notices and Seeks Status Report
Taking the matter seriously, the Delhi High Court has issued formal notices to the Central Government, the Delhi Government, and the Delhi Police. The court has mandated these authorities to file a comprehensive status report regarding the situation within three days. This legal intervention comes after a petition was filed raising concerns about the activist's health and the conditions of his hospitalization. The bench has scheduled the next hearing for this case on 24 July, where the submitted reports will be reviewed.
No Interim Relief for Gitanjali Angmo
The plea for shifting Wangchuk was moved by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo. During the hearing, the court observed that the decision to admit Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital was taken entirely within the legal framework, considering his deteriorating health condition. Consequently, the court declined to pass any interim orders to move him to Medanta Hospital. The court emphasized that the current medical arrangement at Safdarjung Hospital would remain in place until further notice, effectively denying the immediate request for a private facility transfer.
Every Life is Precious: High Court's Observation
The High Court underscored the importance of medical ethics and human life during the session, stating that "every life is precious" and that the care of the patient must remain the highest priority. The court took note of the arguments presented by the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) and the medical professionals involved. It was highlighted that Wangchuk's wife and brother have already been permitted to stay with him 24 hours a day. The court noted from the records that the family has been provided with a separate room in the hospital, allowing them to spend time with him. On top of that, the court directed that Gitanjali Angmo and other accompanying persons should be ensured full access to Wangchuk and provided with adequate resting facilities.
Concerns Over Transparency and Trust
The petition filed by Wangchuk's wife expressed a profound lack of trust in the administration of Safdarjung Hospital. Gitanjali Angmo stated that she wished to move her husband to a private hospital of her choice before his health condition worsened further. She alleged in her petition that despite repeated requests, the Safdarjung Hospital administration provided only "selective information" regarding his medical status. The plea argued that the inability to move him to another hospital prevented an independent verification of his health. Angmo expressed deep concern, noting that when Wangchuk was removed from the protest site, his vital health parameters were stable, while she described the subsequent treatment process as "secretive and completely opaque," which caused significant distress to the family.
Background of the Hunger Strike
Sonam Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since 28 June. His protest was in support of the ongoing demonstrations against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, while on Saturday, which marked the 21st day of his hunger strike, the Delhi Police forcibly removed him from the protest site and admitted him to Safdarjung Hospital. This action by the police met with strong opposition from other protesters present at Jantar Mantar, who criticized the forced hospitalization of the activist.
