SRINAGAR: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday agreed to hear an urgent public interest litigation (PIL) seeking immediate medical intervention for activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 18 days demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The petition, filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, claimed Wangchuk’s health had deteriorated significantly and warned that his condition had become life-threatening. It urged the court to direct authorities to shift the activist to a government hospital and administer essential nutrients and fluids through medical intervention to prevent further deterioration.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia deferred the matter until Thursday after observing that no counsel appeared on behalf of the Union government because of the ongoing work abstention by the Delhi High Court Bar Association.
The bench directed that its order be communicated to the concerned authorities immediately and said it would seek instructions from the government when the matter is taken up on the next date of hearing.
According to the petition, the 59-year-old activist has lost around 8.5 kilograms since beginning his fast on June 28. It argued that immediate medical care, including a liquid diet containing essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, was necessary to save his life.
The petitioner contended that Wangchuk was exercising his constitutional right to hold a peaceful protest and alleged that the authorities had failed to respond adequately despite the deterioration in his health.
The plea stated that allowing the activist’s condition to worsen without intervention would amount to a failure on the part of the government to protect the life of a citizen. It further alleged that both the Centre and the Delhi government had shown little concern despite the seriousness of the situation.
Wangchuk launched the indefinite hunger strike on June 28 after joining protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, a youth-led political platform. The protesters are demanding accountability over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and have called for the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the matter on Thursday.
