Delhi HC Denies Sonam Wangchuk’s Transfer to Private Hospital

The Delhi High Court on Sunday declined to grant interim relief to activist Sonam Wangchuk ’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, who had sought his immediate discharge from Safdarjung Hospital and transfer to Medanta Hospital. The court observed that Wangchuk was not under detention and held that the government’s decision to shift him to a government hospital due to his deteriorating health could not be termed arbitrary. Angmo had moved the court challenging Wangchuk’s continued stay at Safdarjung Hospital, alleging that he was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar while observing an indefinite hunger strike and was being kept in the hospital against his wishes. Justice Mini Pushkarna observed that the material placed before the court did not indicate that Wangchuk was being illegally confined. The court noted that his wife, brother and other family members had been given unrestricted access to him and were also provided a separate room at the hospital. The court referred to Wangchuk’s prolonged hunger strike of nearly 17-18 days before he was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. It also took note of an earlier Division Bench order directing daily medical monitoring by government doctors and necessary intervention whenever required. The Centre informed the court that Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital after his health condition worsened. Medical reports placed before the court indicated that his sugar and sodium levels were below normal, while his potassium level had dropped to a dangerously low level. The court further noted that intravenous fluids were not administered as Wangchuk had not given consent for the procedure. It observed that doctors were monitoring his condition closely and had provided oral medication and fluids with his approval. The High Court observed that since the government shifted Wangchuk to the hospital considering his medical condition, the action could not be considered arbitrary. The court...