‘Govt was within its right’: Why Delhi HC backed Sonam Wangchuk’s hospital shift

Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Sunday rejected a plea filed by Gitanjali Angmo, wife of fasting activist Sonam Wangchuk, seeking his transfer from the government-run Safdarjung Hospital to the private Medanta Hospital, observing that no force had been used in shifting him.A single-judge bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna also noted that Wangchuk’s family had been given round-the-clock access to him and that he had been provided a separate room at the hospital.”This court takes note of the senior counsel’s submission that Wangchuk is not under detention. However, considering the fact that he did not, of his own volition, admit himself to any hospital, the government was within its rights to take such action,” the court said in its order, according to LiveLaw.Justice Pushkarna further observed that, by Wangchuk’s own admission, he had been administered only oral substances with his consent, and therefore, the question of force did not arise.”Since doctors at Safdarjung Hospital are closely monitoring his health and have administered only oral substances with his consent, it cannot be said that any force is being used against him,” the court observed.”Every life is precious. This court also takes note of the submission of the Additional Solicitor General and the doctors that Wangchuk’s wife and brother have been granted round-the-clock, unrestricted access to him,” the order added. The court also noted that the climate activist’s potassium levels were “dangerously low” and that he had not consented to being administered IV fluids.

It urged Wangchuk to cooperate with doctors “if he so chooses.”The high court directed the Centre, Delhi Police, and Safdarjung Hospital authorities to submit a status report on Wangchuk’s condition within three days and listed the matter for hearing on July 24.Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after Delhi Police removed him from the protest site at Jantar Mantar, citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi high court. He had been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in national examinations, including the NEET paper leak case.