The Delhi High Court on Sunday denied a request to move activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility [1].
The ruling maintains government control over the medical care of the activist, whose health became a point of legal contention after a prolonged protest. The decision ensures that the state continues to oversee the treatment of a high-profile figure during a period of political tension.
Dr. Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of Wangchuk, filed the plea for interim relief to facilitate the transfer to a private facility [1]. However, the court upheld the government's decision to keep the activist in the government-run hospital, citing procedural correctness and the necessity of ensuring his medical care [2].
Wangchuk was hospitalized after conducting a hunger strike for three weeks [3]. The court said that the government was right in shifting Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital [4].
Safdarjung Hospital, a government facility in New Delhi, will continue to provide the necessary treatment. The court has now granted the Centre three days to file its official reply regarding the matter [5].
The legal proceedings are not yet concluded. The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 24, 2026 [5].
“Govt was right in shifting Sonam Wangchuk to hospital”
The court's refusal to allow a transfer to a private facility reinforces the state's authority over the medical supervision of political activists. By validating the government's choice of hospital and denying interim relief, the court has prioritized state procedural standards over the family's preference for private care, ensuring the government maintains direct oversight of Wangchuk's recovery.
