Move Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital immediately, says Delhi High Court

After climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days, was forcibly removed from Delhi's Jantar Mantar and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed his transfer to Medanta Hospital, directing that he continue to receive treatment under a panel of doctors at the private facility.

In Short

• Wangchuk was forcibly removed after a 20-day hunger strike
• Transfer requested due to deteriorating health at Safdarjung Hospital
• Medanta to form a panel of doctors for his treatment

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was forcibly removed from Delhi's Jantar Mantar after a 20-day hunger strike and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, to be immediately shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for further treatment under a panel of doctors at the private facility.

The court's direction came on a plea filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, seeking his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta, citing his deteriorating health following a prolonged hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

The Bench said, "What we propose to do is we get him shifted to Medanta. He will be treated there. All treatment details, everything, reports etc which have been done at Safdarjung will be supplied to Medanta."

The High Court also directed Medanta Hospital to constitute a panel of doctors to treat Wangchuk. A detailed order is expected to be passed later in the day.

The development marks a change from the court's earlier stand, when it had upheld the Centre's decision to continue Wangchuk's treatment at the government-run Safdarjung Hospital.

Following the High Court's direction, Angmo took to X to thank the Delhi High Court and congratulate Wangchuk's legal team for securing what she called a "win against unbelievable odds in record time."

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government had no objection to Wangchuk being shifted to Medanta Hospital.

However, Mehta urged the court to ensure that Wangchuk was not discharged against medical advice. He argued that people around the activist were trying to take him out of the hospital and expressed concern that his health could deteriorate if he returned to the protest site.

"He can choose his hospital and his doctors. He should not get discharged against medical advice. What if he goes back to the protest site? What if something happens to him? He cannot take such a risk," Mehta submitted.

During the hearing, the High Court said that after examining Wangchuk's medical reports and interacting with the treating doctors, there appeared to be a consensus that he required continued medical monitoring. The court observed that while the doctors believed such monitoring could be managed at any hospital, one of the doctors, Dr Tandon, had recommended that Wangchuk remain under hospital supervision.

"We propose to shift him to Medanta, which is the hospital of their choice," the Bench observed.

The Solicitor General objected at that stage, saying he had held discussions with the government before making his submissions.

- Ends