The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital for further treatment. Hearing a plea filed by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, the court directed that Wangchuk be treated by a panel of doctors at Medanta after reviewing his medical condition following his prolonged hunger strike.
The Bench said Wangchuk would be shifted to Medanta Hospital, where he would continue to receive medical care. The court also informed that all treatment details which have been done at Safdarjung will be supplied to Medanta. The Delhi HC also directed Medanta Hospital to constitute a panel of doctors to oversee Wangchuk’s treatment. A detailed order is expected later in the day.
The decision came on a petition filed by Gitanjali Angmo, who sought her husband’s transfer to a private hospital, citing concerns over his deteriorating health after his hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government had no objection to Wangchuk being shifted to Medanta Hospital. However, Mehta urged the court to ensure that Wangchuk was not discharged against medical advice. “He can choose his hospital and his doctors. He should not get discharged against medical advice. What if he goes back to the protest site? What if something happens to him? He cannot take such a risk,” Mehta submitted. He also argued that there were concerns that people around the activist might try to take him back to the protest site before his treatment was complete.
The development marks a change from the court’s earlier position, when it had upheld the Centre’s decision to continue Wangchuk’s treatment at the government-run Safdarjung Hospital.