Delhi Police removed activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site and took him to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, 2026 [2].
The hospitalization of the 59-year-old [1] founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) marks a critical escalation in a high-profile protest centered on regional and environmental concerns.
Wangchuk was on the 21st day of a hunger strike [1] when authorities intervened. A Delhi Police spokesperson said the action was taken "as per orders of High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk" [3]. The police said the action was conducted in accordance with the orders of the Delhi High Court and expert medical advice regarding the activist's health [4].
However, the nature of the removal is disputed. Abhijeet Dipke, a CJP founder, said, "Cops dragged Wangchuk away, abused him" [5]. This account contrasts with the official police narrative that the move was a medical necessity.
The Delhi High Court had previously ordered daily health checks for Wangchuk during his fast. Police cited these requirements and the advice of medical experts as the primary drivers for the forced relocation to the hospital [2, 4].
Wangchuk's protest at Jantar Mantar has drawn significant attention to the goals of the Cockroach Janta Party. The removal of the party's leader by state authorities on the 21st day [1] of his fast has intensified tensions between the activists and the Delhi administration.
“Cops dragged Wangchuk away, abused him”
The forced hospitalization of Sonam Wangchuk illustrates the tension between the state's duty to preserve life and an individual's right to political protest. By citing a High Court order and medical necessity, the government provides a legal shield for the removal, while the CJP's claims of abuse suggest the event may be viewed by supporters as a suppression of dissent rather than a medical rescue.
