Wife's Plea Against Sonam Wangchuk's Admission In Govt Hospital : Live Updates From Delhi High Court Sunday Hearing
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
19 July 2026 2:13 PM IST
The Delhi High Court will hold a special Sunday sitting today 2.30 PM to hear a petition filed by Dr. Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging the Delhi Police action of shifting him to Safdarjung Government Hospital from the Jantar Mantar protest site where he had been holding a hunger strike for over 20 days.
Expressing a lack of trust in Safdarjung Hospital, Angmo has sought directions to shift him to a private hospital.
Wangchuk's wife said she had “lost faith” in Safdarjung Hospital, claiming that hospital authorities had informed them his potassium level had fallen to 2.9, describing it as “alarming” and “life-threatening”. However, she alleged that the hospital's public health bulletin omitted the actual figure and merely referred to “decreasing potassium levels.” She further claimed that an independent laboratory test showed Wangchuk's potassium level at 3.5, which they described as being within the normal range.
She further alleged that despite repeated requests, the hospital authorities had refused to discharge Wangchuk or permit his transfer to a private hospital of his choice.
She also claimed that approximately 30 police personnel were deployed on the hospital floor, with over 100 personnel stationed across the hospital premises, severely restricting the movement of those accompanying him.
Calling the situation “illegal detention” rather than medical care, Wangchuk's wife stated that if any harm were to befall him, the hospital authorities and the government must bear responsibility.
The writ petition seeks a declaration that Wangchuk's continued confinement at Safdarjung Hospital is unconstitutional and prays for his immediate discharge and transfer to a hospital of his and his family's choice. It also seeks unrestricted access to him for his lawyers and doctors who had been treating him during the hunger strike, besides a direction restraining authorities from administering any medical treatment without his informed consent or, if he is unable to consent, without the consent of his wife.
Follow this page for live updates from the hearing.
Live Updates
- 19 July 2026 3:44 PM IST
Court: Every life is precious. This court also takes note of submission of ASG and doctors that unlimited access given to wife and his brother 24x7.
It is noted that family members of Wangchuck have been given separate room and are able to spent time around him. Considering this, no interim order is required to be passed at this stage. Issue notice.
- 19 July 2026 3:43 PM IST
Court also notes potassium level is on dangerously low level and thatIV fluids not given to Wangchuk since he did not give consent.
Court: Since govt has taken decision to shift him to hospital on account of his medical condition, this court does not find same to be arbitrary action. Since doctors at safdarjung are closely monitoring his health and have only given oral things as per his consent, it cant be said any force and be used against him. This court takes note of senior counsel submission that Wangchuk is not in detention. However considering fact that he in his own violation did not check himself to any hospital, the govt was wihin its right to take such action.
- 19 July 2026 3:40 PM IST
Court: This court notes petitioners husband was on hunger strike for 17-18 days. This court notes DB passed order…. Also noted submission of ASG that due to deteriorating condition and DB order that step to shift him to govt hospital was taken. This court takes note of tact that sugar sodium levels are on lower side as informed.
- 19 July 2026 3:38 PM IST
Court: senior counsel for Petitioner says petitioner has already spoken to Medanta and they wish to shift him there. He also submits that petitioner has been on long hunger strikes on previous occasions. He says he is confined to Safdarjung hospital without consent. ASG appearing for CG submits that it was on account of compelling circumstances that govt had to take decision to shift him to govt hospital. He says vitals were deteriorating. He submits medical records signed by head department medicine who are part of team supervising his medical health.
- 19 July 2026 3:35 PM IST
Wangchuk’s wife: We asked for second opinion on potassium. I was denied. I said you can get a sample. They made me wait for 12 hours. I went out looking for a lab, all were shut. They would have put him on IV, his level was normal.
This is not activist platform. This is court of law. Activism can rest: ASG
