India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The Delhi High Court on Sunday directed doctors and the Centre to submit a fresh report on activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health within three days, while refusing to pass any immediate order on a plea filed by his wife Gitanjali J Angmo seeking his discharge from Safdarjung Hospital to a hospital chosen by the family. The matter will now be heard again on July 24.
The activist was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after concerns were raised about his health during his ongoing hunger strike.
The Delhi High Court directed doctors and the Centre to submit a fresh health report on activist Sonam Wangchuk, hospitalized during his hunger strike, deferring his wife’s plea for transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to July 24.
In a special hearing, Justice Pushkarna said Safdarjung doctors were closely monitoring the fasting activist, and it could not be said that any force was being used against him in violation of his bodily integrity. The judge also said the government’s removal of Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital cannot be called arbitrary.
Justice Pushkarna further observed that Wangchuk’s wife, his brother, and his brother-in-law have been given round-the-clock access to him. She issued notice to the Centre, Safdarjung Hospital, and the city police on Angmo’s plea seeking his transfer to a private facility.
During the hearing, doctors informed the court that Wangchuk had begun taking small quantities of oral fluids, including potassium chloride and sugar-free oral rehydration solution. However, he was still declining intravenous fluids despite repeated counselling by the medical team.
According to doctors, some of his key health indicators, including blood sugar and potassium levels, were currently within the normal range but remained on the lower side. They added that vitamin supplements were being administered and that his condition was under continuous monitoring.
Justice Sachin Datta noted that Wangchuk was not under any form of detention and recorded that family members had been allowed to meet him at the hospital.
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Representing the Centre, counsel told the court that authorities decided to shift Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital after becoming increasingly concerned about the risks associated with nearly 20 days of fasting. The Centre argued that prolonged fasting, especially in Delhi’s weather conditions, could lead to dehydration and other health complications, including a drop in potassium levels.
The court was also informed that the treatment being provided at the hospital was being administered with Wangchuk’s consent. The Centre further submitted that he could be referred to AIIMS if specialised medical care became necessary.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Wangchuk, urged the court to allow his transfer to Medanta Hospital. He argued that the activist’s personal doctors and legal team were not getting adequate access and said the family was not receiving complete information about the treatment being recommended.
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Angmo’s petition also raised concerns over the security arrangements at the hospital. She alleged that a heavy police presence on the hospital floor and other parts of the premises was restricting the movement of people accompanying Wangchuk.
The hearing came a day after Wangchuk was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital, where he continues to remain under medical observation as his hunger strike enters another critical phase.
