Sonam Wangchuk News: Delhi High Court has rejected the petition to shift activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital. On the other hand, Cockroach Party Chief Abhijeet Dipke has also suffered a big shock. Because he had announced to march to Parliament on 20th July. But Delhi Police has clearly said that permission for the march will not be given.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Sunday refused to grant any interim relief on the plea of Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk. In her petition, Geetanjali had demanded immediate discharge of Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital and shifting her to Medanta Hospital. The court said in its comment that Wangchuk is not in custody and the government’s decision to shift him to a government hospital cannot be considered arbitrary.
Wangchuk’s wife made these serious allegations
Geetanjali Angmo had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court. In this he challenged Wangchuk’s continuous stay in Safdarjung Hospital. The petition alleged that Wangchuk was sitting on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the NEET-UG paper leak case, from where he was forcibly removed and is being kept in the hospital without his consent.
These people can meet Wangchuk in the hospital
Justice Mini Pushkarna said that the evidence placed before the court did not suggest that Wangchuk has been detained illegally. The court noted that his wife, brother and other family members have full freedom to meet him. He has even been given a separate room to stay in the hospital.
Court told why Wangchuk was picked up from Jantar Mantar
- The court said that before Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, he was on hunger strike for about 17-18 days. The court also referred to the old order of the Division Bench, in which government doctors were directed to monitor his health daily.
- Recording the arguments of the Central government, the court observed that Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital due to his deteriorating medical condition.
- The court also took note of the medical report, according to which Wangchuk’s sugar and sodium levels were below normal and his potassium levels had fallen dangerously low. The court also noted that Wangchuk did not give consent, hence he was not given intravenous fluids.
- The High Court held that since the government had shifted Wangchuk to the hospital due to his medical condition, this action could not be called arbitrary.
- The court also observed that doctors at Safdarjung Hospital were closely monitoring his health and only oral medicines and fluids were given with his consent. Therefore, there is nothing on record to show that any coercion has been done to him.
Kapil Sibal put this argument in Delhi High Court
- During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Angmo, argued that Wangchuk had the right to be treated in a hospital of his choice. He said that the family has already spoken to Medanta Hospital and sought permission to shift him there. Sibal argued that Wangchuk is not in custody, there is no criminal case registered against him, and there is no justification to stop him from choosing the hospital of his choice.
The government’s lawyer presented this side
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Centre, defended the government’s action. He said Wangchuk’s health had deteriorated after the long hunger strike. He told the court that prolonged fasting had led to ketosis and other medical problems, which required close monitoring by government doctors. Sharma also cited the old order of the Division Bench which had directed for medical intervention if necessary.
The court said-“Every life is precious”
The court remarked that “every life is precious” and noted the ASG’s statement that Wangchuk’s wife and brother have been allowed to meet him 24×7. The court also recorded that the family has been provided a separate room in the hospital.
Court refuses to admit Wangchuk to private hospital
- The court issued notice on the petition refusing to give any interim order to transfer Wangchuk to a private hospital. The court has directed the defendants to file their status report and reply within three days.
- The court further directed that Wangchuk will cooperate with the doctors in any medical treatment deemed necessary as per medical protocol. The court also recorded the Centre’s statement that all medical reports related to Wangchuk will be regularly shared with his family. The next hearing of the case will be on July 24.