The Delhi High Court heard a petition filed by Dr. Geetanjali Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk. The petition challenged the Delhi Police’s action of shifting him from the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital. Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike there for more than 20 days. Expressing distrust in Safdarjung Hospital, Geetanjali Angmo sought directions to shift him to a private hospital. The Delhi HC refused to order Sonam’s admission to another hospital. The next hearing in the case will be held on July 24.
The court stated that no interim order was needed in this matter. The court issued notice on Sonam’s wife’s petition and ordered a status report to be filed within three days. The court also urged Sonam Wangchuk to cooperate with the doctors during his treatment. The court also stated that Wangchuk’s wife, brother, and relatives have been granted full access to meet him. A separate room has also been provided for them.
Wangchuk’s wife stated that she has lost faith in Safdarjung Hospital. She claimed that the hospital administration informed her that Wangchuk’s potassium level had dropped to 2.9, which she described as alarming and life-threatening. However, she alleged that the hospital’s public health bulletin did not provide the actual figure and only stated a drop in potassium level. She also claimed that an independent lab test showed Wangchuk’s potassium level to be 3.5, which she described as within the normal range.
Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared on behalf of Geetanjali Angmo. He cited the previous order. Sibal demanded that the biggest problem at Safdarjung Hospital is that Wangchuk is not allowed to meet his doctors and lawyers. “We are not getting any information about his condition,” he said. He said, “We have decided that Sonam should be discharged from the hospital. We want him to be treated by a doctor and in a hospital of our choice.”
Kapil Sibal, the lawyer representing Sonam Wangchuk in court, proposed shifting activist Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital. He stated, “We have spoken to Medanta Hospital. We want him treated there.” He stated that his discharge is being demanded. He alleged that Wangchuk’s own doctors and legal team are not being allowed to meet him and they do not even know what treatment is being prescribed.
The court also asked ASG Chetan Sharma, representing the government, whether there were any serious circumstances that necessitated Sonam’s hospitalization. The ASG replied, “Yes.” His health was steadily deteriorating. He had been on a hunger strike for 18 days. Prolonged fasting in humid weather had caused dehydration. The body begins burning fat for energy.
The ASG explained that the government was required to take action in such a situation, as per the court’s previous order. The ASG stated that Sonam’s current condition is stable. He stated that Wangchuk had initially refused IV drips, but later agreed to it.
The court asked if he was given this treatment voluntarily. The ASG replied yes. He had only asked if sugar-free medication was available. The ASG stated that utmost caution must be exercised in light of the HC Division Bench and SC orders. Even if he refuses treatment, the decision on the extent of treatment required should be left to expert doctors.
ASG Chetan Sharma stated that like any other citizen of the country, Sonam should have faith in the doctors’ treatment. He is being taken care of thoroughly. However, he should also cooperate with the doctors. Meanwhile, lawyer Kapil Sibal has been continuously insisting that Sonam has the right to be treated at the hospital of her choice.
Sonam Wangchuk will remain at Safdarjung Hospital for now. The Delhi High Court rejected his wife Geetanjali Agam’s request to direct him to be shifted to Medanta Hospital. The court stated that no interim order is needed at this stage.
ASG Chetan Sharma stated that like any other citizen of the country, Sonam should have faith in the doctors’ treatment. He is being taken care of thoroughly. However, he should also cooperate with the doctors. Meanwhile, lawyer Kapil Sibal has been continuously insisting that Sonam has the right to be treated at the hospital of her choice.