SRINAGAR: Activist and scientist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to AIIMS Jodhpur on Saturday after his health reportedly worsened while he was in judicial custody, following orders from the Supreme Court.
According to The New Indian Express, Wangchuk was brought from Jodhpur Central Jail to the hospital’s emergency ward at around 6:30 am on January 31. He was under medical observation for about 90 minutes and examined by a gastroenterologist before being returned to jail under tight security.
Hospital sources told TNIE that Wangchuk suffers from stomach-related ailments and has reported pain in multiple areas. He had also visited AIIMS the previous day for medical tests.
The examination came after concerns raised in the Supreme Court by Wangchuk’s wife, who filed a petition through senior advocate Kapil Sibal, citing a gradual decline in his health and the need for specialised treatment. On January 29, a bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and PB Varale directed jail authorities to ensure he was examined by a specialist from a government hospital and to submit his medical report by February 2.
Sibal told the court that Wangchuk’s stomach problems were allegedly linked to the quality of drinking water in jail and requested weekly medical check-ups and permission for clean water supplied by his family. Representing the Rajasthan government, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj stated that Wangchuk had been receiving regular medical attention, noting that jail doctors had examined him 21 times over the past four months.
AIIMS sources said Saturday’s assessment focused on his gastrointestinal complaints and other reported discomforts. After the check-up, Wangchuk was returned to Jodhpur Central Jail, where he continues to remain in judicial custody.
Wangchuk, an educationist and environmental activist, was detained in September last year following protests in Leh over Ladakh’s constitutional status. The agitation later turned violent, resulting in four deaths. He has been in custody for over 100 days under the National Security Act.
