New Delhi: Social activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk will now be shifted to another hospital for treatment. The Delhi High Court has ordered his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital. The court issued this directive following a petition filed by his wife, Gitanjali.
A bench led by the High Court’s Chief Justice delivered this verdict. According to the court, a special panel of doctors has been constituted at Medanta Hospital, and a dedicated team of specialists has been assigned to Wangchuk. The court directed that all medical reports generated so far be handed over to the Medanta panel and ordered the sharing of comprehensive medical information regarding his treatment.
Delhi High Court Had Previously Refused
The High Court’s division bench (a bench of two judges) delivered this verdict on the petition filed by the activist’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo. In her petition, she argued that her husband was being held at Safdarjung Hospital against his wishes and that the family lacked confidence in the government medical system. She had sought permission to shift Wangchuk to a private hospital of their choice.
A single-judge bench of the High Court had previously refused to grant interim relief that would have allowed his discharge from Safdarjung Hospital and transfer to a private facility. The division bench has now issued this order following Gitanjali Angmo’s petition, in which she alleged that her husband was being detained against his will.
Court Had Issued Notice to the Government
While initially declining to intervene directly in the matter, the Delhi High Court had issued notices to the hospital administration and the Central Government. It had directed the submission of a detailed report by a medical board regarding Sonam Wangchuk’s health. His wife, Gitanjali, had alleged that his fundamental rights and the principle of informed consent were being disregarded.
How Long Has Wangchuk Been on Hunger Strike?
It is worth noting that Sonam Wangchuk has been on a continuous hunger strike for the past 24 days. Delhi Police had removed him from Jantar Mantar and taken him to Safdarjung Hospital. The police had cited his deteriorating health as the reason for this.
During this time, he stated that he would call off the hunger strike only if the MP gave an assurance that the NEET paper leak would be discussed in Parliament and accountability would be fixed. When a lathi-charge took place during the march to Parliament, he announced that he would not end his hunger strike.
