Shillong: The Delhi High Court rejected a request to move Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday. Justice Mini Pushkarna ruled the government acted reasonably when it relocated the activist from his Jantar Mantar protest site. His health had declined rapidly. He started an indefinite hunger strike on June 28 to back students fighting alleged NEET-UG exam irregularities.
Gitanjali J. Angmo, his wife, filed the petition. She claimed police forcibly removed him Saturday and held him against his will. She wanted him moved to a private facility. The court disagreed. Justice Pushkarna noted that medical staff are monitoring his vitals and only giving oral medication with his approval.
"Since doctors of the hospital are closely monitoring him and giving him oral medicine with his consent, it cannot be said that force is being used or his autonomy is being violated," the judge stated. The bench ordered the Centre and Delhi Police to file status reports within three days. The case returns to court on July 24.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma clarified that Wangchuk is not under detention. His wife, brother, and brother-in-law currently have 24-hour access to his private room. The state promised to share all medical records with the family. For now, the medical team will dictate all treatment protocols.
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