Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, has moved the Delhi High Court challenging an order refusing intervention in his treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. She alleges the decision unlawfully confines him without arrest and sidelines both from crucial medical decisions.
Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, on approached the Delhi High Court challenging an order that refused to intervene in his ongoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.
In her appeal, Angmo argued that the single judge’s Sunday order unlawfully keeps Wangchuk confined to Safdarjung Hospital without any arrest, and effectively removes Angmo and the activist from decisive control over decisions related to his medical care.
The appeal further stated that the order does not address informed consent or a person’s right to accept or refuse medical treatment.
During a special hearing on Sunday, Justice Mini Pushkarna declined to interfere with Wangchuk’s treatment at Safdarjung Hospital, remarking that the government’s removal of the fasting activist from Jantar Mantar to a government hospital cannot be termed arbitrary.
The single judge also held that, at this stage, there was no need to pass an interim direction for his immediate transfer.
This observation was made while considering a petition filed by Angmo seeking permission to shift him to a private medical facility. The court noted that Safdarjung doctors were closely monitoring the activist and that it could not be said that any force was being used against him in violation of his bodily integrity.
Referring to the High Court’s order dated July 16 directing the authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health and provide medical intervention if required, Justice Pushkarna observed that since Wangchuk had not voluntarily checked himself into any hospital, the government was within its right to take him to Safdarjung considering his medical condition.
“It is to be noted that the ultimate decision with regard to the medical condition of Mr Wangchuk would be monitored by the medical team attending him, which shall take decision as per the medical protocol,”
Angmo had sought an urgent hearing on her petition on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Delhi Police took Wangchuk forcibly to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike.
Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike since June 28, alleging irregularities in competitive examinations and the deaths of several students allegedly linked to the cancellation of the NEET paper earlier.
Case Title: Gitanjali Angmo Vs Union of India