Delhi HC allows shifting Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta hospital

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday proposed shifting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital following a broad consensus among medical experts regarding his health. A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing an appeal filed by Wangchuk's wife, Dr. Gitanjali Angmo, challenging a single judge's refusal to permit his transfer to a private facility.

Appearing for the Centre and Delhi Police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government had no objections to Wangchuk being moved to Medanta Hospital for continued medical care. Medical reports from AIIMS and Safdarjung doctors indicated that Wangchuk requires constant monitoring due to critical health parameters, including elevated uric acid levels, low white blood cell counts, and reduced platelets resulting from his ongoing hunger strike.

Wangchuk was initially removed from Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police on July 18 while on a hunger strike supporting student protests over alleged NEET paper leaks. The bench directed that all treatment details and medical reports generated at Safdarjung Hospital be transferred to Medanta to ensure seamless medical care during his hospitalization.