The Delhi High Court on Sunday refused to grant immediate relief to activist Sonam Wangchuk’s family by allowing his hospital transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility. The court said doctors are already monitoring his condition and directed the Centre to file a detailed health status report within three days. The matter will now be heard again on July 24. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest.
Delhi High Court declines Sonam Wangchuk hospital transfer request
The plea seeking Sonam Wangchuk’s hospital transfer was filed by his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, who argued that she had lost confidence in the treatment being provided at the government hospital. She alleged that the family was receiving limited medical information and that independent doctors were not being allowed access.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Angmo, told the court that Wangchuk should have the freedom to choose the hospital where he wishes to receive treatment. He also questioned the circumstances under which the activist was shifted from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital.
Justice Mini Pushkarna, however, observed that Wangchuk was not under detention and that his close family members had been provided access to him. The Delhi HC held that no interim direction for Sonam Wangchuk’s hospital transfer was necessary at this stage.
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Government says health concerns prompted hospital admission
The Centre defended its decision, saying Wangchuk’s prolonged hunger strike had created serious medical risks. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed the court that doctors were closely monitoring his health and had advised oral supplements after Wangchuk declined intravenous treatment.
Doctors from Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, told the court that Wangchuk had started consuming oral fluids and potassium supplements while refusing invasive procedures. The government maintained that shifting him to the hospital was purely a medical decision and not an attempt to restrict his liberty.
The court agreed that authorities were justified in taking precautionary action considering his condition and found no evidence suggesting forced treatment.
Family raises concerns over medical transparency
Angmo’s petition also questioned discrepancies in medical reports, particularly regarding Wangchuk’s potassium levels. She claimed independent laboratory findings differed from those shared by hospital authorities and sought unrestricted access for private doctors.
The petition described the circumstances surrounding Sonam Wangchuk’s hospital transfer as involuntary and argued that no medical emergency existed when he was moved from Jantar Mantar. It further alleged excessive police deployment around the hospital had effectively restricted the family’s movement.
With the Delhi High Court seeking a fresh medical report, the legal battle over Sonam Wangchuk’s hospital transfer is expected to continue later this week, while doctors remain responsible for monitoring his health.
