Delhi High Court Refuses Private Hospital Transfer for Sonam Wangchuk

The Delhi High Court refused an interim order to shift activist Sonam Wangchuk to a private hospital, ruling he may remain at Safdarjung Hospital ^[1].

This decision centers on the legal balance between individual body autonomy and the state's responsibility to ensure the health and safety of a citizen during a medical crisis. By denying the transfer, the court affirmed the government's right to provide care in a public facility when a patient has not voluntarily sought treatment.

The court said there was no violation of body autonomy in keeping Wangchuk at the public facility ^[1]. The ruling followed a prolonged hunger strike that lasted between 17 days ^[3] and three weeks ^[4]. Because Wangchuk did not voluntarily seek medical care after the strike, the court said the government was entitled to keep him at Safdarjung Hospital for his own safety ^[1], ^[3].

Legal representatives for Wangchuk had sought the transfer to a private institution, but the court declined the interim request ^[1]. The judiciary said the government's actions were necessary given the circumstances of his health status following the fast.

As part of the ongoing proceedings, the court has granted the government three days ^[2] to provide a status report on Wangchuk's current condition. This report will be reviewed during the next scheduled hearing, which is set for July 24 ^[2].

Wangchuk remains under medical supervision in Delhi while the legal process continues to determine the conditions of his care, and the legality of his detention in a public medical facility ^[1], ^[2].