Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Moves Delhi HC Seeking Transfer From Safdarjung Hospital, Challenges Continued Hospitalisation

Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, has moved the Delhi High Court seeking his immediate discharge from Safdarjung Hospital and permission to transfer him to a hospital of the family's choice, alleging that medical treatment is being used to illegally detain him.

The petition, filed on Sunday, seeks an urgent hearing while alleging that Wangchuk was "removed" from the protest site at Jantar Mantar on July 18 at around 7 am and taken to Safdarjung Hospital without his consent and without prior notice to his family.

Angmo has contended that Wangchuk's "continued hospitalisation is without legal authority" and has "effectively deprived him of his liberty despite there being no arrest, preventive detention order, criminal case or judicial direction authorising such confinement".

Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28 in support of Cockroach Janta party founding president Abhijit Dipke's appeals for resignation of the Union Education minister. The protestors who have gathered at Jantar Mantar include politicians and student led organisations such as SFI and AISF. It is also alleged that the protests are being backed by political parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party, with Arvind Kejriwal recently expressing support.

Challenge to continued hospitalisation

Angmo has argued that the authorities have relied upon a July 16 order of the Delhi High Court directing daily monitoring of Wangchuk's health and permitting doctors to undertake medical intervention if considered necessary.

However, the petition submits that the order did not authorise this and alleged that it was "forcible removal from the protest site" instead of monitoring his health. The plea has also stated that this is "involuntary admission to a hospital, his continued confinement, isolation, or the denial of access to his lawyers and personal doctors".

The plea asserts that "medical intervention" cannot be used as a substitute for legal detention and alleges that Wangchuk's hospitalisation has become a means of preventing him from returning to his peaceful protest.

In addition to seeking permission to transfer Wangchuk to another medical facility, the petition also seeks unrestricted access for his wife, legal team, and personal doctors. It further urges the Court to direct that no medicine, intravenous fluids or any other medical intervention be administered without Wangchuk's informed consent.

Questions Raised Over Medical Assessment

The petition also questions the hospital's assessment of Wangchuk's health, particularly its findings regarding his potassium levels.

According to the plea, Safdarjung Hospital informed the family that Wangchuk's serum potassium had fallen to 2.9 mEq/L, describing the condition as life-threatening.

However, Angmo has alleged that the hospital's public health bulletin merely referred to "decreasing potassium levels" without disclosing the actual reading.

In a post on X, Angmo also claimed that despite repeated requests, the hospital permitted the collection of a blood sample for independent testing only at around 10.30 pm, more than ten hours after the request was first made.

According to the petition, the independent laboratory subsequently reported Wangchuk's potassium level at around 3.5-3.6 mEq/L, which the family says falls within the laboratory's reference range.

On this basis, the plea questions the reliability of the hospital's findings and states that the family has lost confidence in the treatment being provided.

Hospital Maintains Health Risks Persist

Safdarjung Hospital, however, has maintained that Wangchuk remains conscious and clinically stable but continues to exhibit signs of dehydration.

According to the hospital, medical examinations revealed falling potassium levels, increasing urinary ketones and compensated acidosis, with doctors warning that his condition could become life-threatening if left untreated.

The hospital has also stated that Wangchuk has repeatedly declined oral fluids, intravenous hydration and medication despite repeated counselling by doctors.

Allegations of restricted access

In a public statement issued before approaching the Court, Angmo alleged that the family had repeatedly requested that Wangchuk be discharged or shifted to a private hospital of their choice, but the hospital had refused.

She also claimed that a heavy police presence inside the hospital had severely restricted the family's movement and access, alleging that the situation amounted to "illegal detention" rather than medical care.

The matter is expected to come up before the Delhi High Court on the plea seeking urgent relief.