The Delhi High Court ordered the transfer of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday [1].

The move comes as health concerns mount for Wangchuk, whose prolonged fast has raised alarms among medical professionals and family members. The transfer ensures he receives specialized care and constant observation during a critical health window.

Wangchuk had been on an indefinite fast since June 28 [1]. According to reports, he had been on a hunger strike for 20 days [3] before the court intervened to facilitate the change in medical facilities.

The court acted following a plea filed by Wangchuk's wife [2]. The petition highlighted the necessity of shifting the activist to a facility capable of providing the level of monitoring recommended by medical experts [2].

Safdarjung Hospital, where he was previously treated, is a major government facility in the capital. However, the court said there was a need for continuous medical monitoring to manage the physical toll of the strike [2].

Wangchuk is known for his activism regarding climate change and regional issues in Ladakh. His current health status remains a point of focus for supporters and medical teams as he is stabilized at the Gurugram facility [1].

Medanta Hospital is equipped to handle the complex physiological shifts that occur when a body undergoes extended starvation. The legal intervention allows the medical team to implement a more rigorous monitoring protocol than was available at the previous site [2].

“The Delhi High Court ordered the transfer of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk”

The judicial intervention to move Sonam Wangchuk to a private specialty hospital underscores the severity of his physical condition after nearly three weeks of fasting. By prioritizing medical experts' recommendations over the initial placement at a government facility, the court is attempting to mitigate the risk of permanent organ damage or death associated with prolonged hunger strikes.