The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed that climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk be shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, where an independent panel of specialist doctors will take charge of his treatment amid concerns over his prolonged hunger strike.
The court also ordered Safdarjung Hospital to hand over all medical records, pathological reports, diagnostic tests and imaging documents to Medanta to ensure continuity of care. The order came after the Bench heard submissions from the Centre, Wangchuk’s family and doctors from Safdarjung Hospital, while reviewing his latest medical condition.
The Union government informed the court that it had no objection to the transfer, provided uninterrupted medical supervision was maintained. The latest direction marks a shift from the court’s earlier position of retaining Wangchuk at Safdarjung Hospital and reflects increasing judicial concern over his health after weeks of fasting.
The Bench observed that its foremost priority was to preserve Wangchuk’s life while ensuring he received the best possible medical evaluation.
Court Prioritises Medical Care
The High Court’s directions require Medanta Hospital to immediately constitute a multidisciplinary panel of doctors, which will independently assess Wangchuk’s condition and determine the future course of treatment. The court further instructed that the transfer be carried out without disrupting medical monitoring and that all reports, including blood investigations, pathological findings and imaging records, be provided to the new medical team.
The order followed an extensive hearing in which the Bench considered Wangchuk’s deteriorating health, medical reports submitted by Safdarjung Hospital and arguments presented by the Centre and Wangchuk’s legal team. During the proceedings, the Centre stated that it had no objection to the activist being shifted to a private hospital if continuous medical care could be ensured.
The plea seeking the transfer was filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Gitanjali J. Angmo, who argued that he should receive treatment at a hospital chosen by his family. Her petition cited concerns over the need for specialised multidisciplinary care after weeks of fasting, greater transparency in medical assessments and an independent review of his condition.
Senior advocates representing Wangchuk’s family also questioned aspects of the medical evaluation carried out so far and sought an impartial assessment by specialists outside the government hospital system.
The court noted that preserving Wangchuk’s life remained the primary consideration. The newly constituted Medanta panel will now review his previous investigations, assess his present health condition and recommend the next course of treatment while maintaining uninterrupted medical supervision throughout the transition.
Health Crisis And Legal Journey
The latest order represents a significant change in the High Court’s approach. Just days earlier, the court had declined to immediately transfer Wangchuk to a private hospital, observing that authorities had acted appropriately in moving him from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated.
At the time, the Bench had noted that doctors were administering only those treatments to which Wangchuk had consented, that no force-feeding or intravenous fluids had been given against his wishes and that family members had been granted exceptional access to visit him.
However, subsequent hearings increasingly focused on the need for specialised medical supervision as Wangchuk’s condition remained a matter of concern. Earlier medical records presented before the court indicated low potassium, low sodium and low blood sugar levels following his prolonged fast, with doctors warning that such imbalances could potentially lead to serious cardiac and neurological complications if not carefully monitored.
In previous hearings, the High Court had already directed daily clinical monitoring of Wangchuk and observed that “every life is precious”, asking the government to ensure regular medical examination throughout his fast.
Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on 28 June at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the student-led movement demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in national entrance examinations, including the NEET controversy. Protesters have called for greater transparency in the examination system and broader institutional reforms. As his fast entered its fourth week and concerns over his health intensified, authorities shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital, triggering legal proceedings over his treatment and patient autonomy.
The controversy also prompted reactions from sections of the medical community. Resident doctors from Safdarjung Hospital, supported by doctors associated with AIIMS, reportedly wrote to the President expressing concern over patient autonomy and the circumstances of Wangchuk’s continued hospitalisation.
They argued that hospitals are institutions of healing rather than detention and emphasised the ethical obligation to respect the informed choices of competent patients while ensuring appropriate medical care.
With Tuesday’s order, responsibility for Wangchuk’s treatment now shifts to Medanta Hospital. The independent medical panel is expected to review all previous reports, evaluate his present condition and recommend further treatment, while the Delhi High Court is likely to continue monitoring developments if further judicial intervention becomes necessary.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Delhi High Court’s decision underscores an important principle that extends beyond this individual case: safeguarding life and respecting personal autonomy must go hand in hand. Courts, governments, doctors and families often face difficult decisions when prolonged protests intersect with medical emergencies.
In such moments, transparency, empathy and evidence-based healthcare become essential to maintaining public trust. An independent medical assessment can help reassure all stakeholders that decisions are being guided by medical expertise rather than competing narratives.
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