SRINAGAR: The Delhi High Court on Sunday declined to pass any interim order on a plea seeking activist Sonam Wangchuk’s transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility, observing that doctors at the government hospital were closely monitoring his condition.
Hearing a petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, Justice Mini Pushkarna said there was no need for immediate judicial intervention at this stage. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 24.
During a special hearing held on Sunday, the court observed that there was nothing on record to suggest that Wangchuk’s bodily integrity was being violated or that force was being used against him while he was under medical care. It also held that the authorities’ decision to shift him from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital could not be termed arbitrary.
The High Court noted that Wangchuk’s wife, brother and brother-in-law have been granted unrestricted access to meet him at the hospital. Notices were issued to the Centre, Safdarjung Hospital and the Delhi Police on the petition seeking his transfer to a private hospital.
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma told the court that there should be no apprehension regarding Wangchuk’s medical care, asserting that he was receiving proper treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. The court observed that Wangchuk would cooperate with doctors in administering any medical intervention if he chose to do so.
Representing the petitioner, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that Wangchuk should be allowed to receive treatment at Medanta Hospital, contending that an individual has the right to choose the hospital where they wish to be treated, particularly when they are not under detention.
Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police on Saturday after spending nearly three weeks on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. He launched the fast on June 28, alleging irregularities in the NEET examination and demanding accountability following the controversy surrounding the medical entrance test and reported student suicides linked to its cancellation.
