- Delhi HC allows Sonam Wangchuk's move from Safdarjung, a government hospital, to Medanta, a private facility
- Wangchuk will continue his hunger strike till Cockroach Janta Party protesters can meet MPs, in parliament
- On Monday Union Health Minister JP Nadda received CJP leaders - but at his residence - and noted their demands
The Delhi High Court has allowed Sonam Wangchuk - the Ladakhi activist on a hunger strike as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's protests over the NEET exam paper leak - to be moved immediately from the state-run Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta in Gurugram. "We can't ignore his concerns... we are of the opinion he should be shifted to a hospital of his choice."
A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said moving Wangchuk to Medanta would ensure his fundamental rights were not violated, and also said a team of competent doctors would be set up monitor his health.
The court was responding to a plea by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who had challenged a single judge bench's Sunday order. She posted a message of thanks shortly afterwards. "My heartfelt thanks to the Delhi High Court for passing favourable order of discharge of Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta, the hospital of our choice!" she said on X, following a post on July 19 that criticised Safdarjung for apparently contradictory reports on her husband's health.
My heartfelt thanks to the Hon'ble #delhihighcourt for passing favourable order of discharge of @Wangchuk66 to #medanta, the hospital of our choice! My heartfelt thanks also to @SibalAkhil and Bahuli Sharma and their teams for this win against unbelievable odds in record time!!
— Gitanjali J Angmo (@GitanjaliAngmo) July 21, 2026
Before the court greenlit his transfer, Wangchuk said he would continue his fast till the protesters - students and activists demanding accountability after the May 3 NEET-UG exam paper was leaked - were allowed to meet MPs in parliament.
RECAP | "Will Continue Fast": Wangchuk After Government Meets Protesters
CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health Minister JP Nadda at his Delhi residence Monday evening. "We submitted a letter with our demands..." Das said on X. "The minister assured us he will discuss this at the appropriate level. But no commitments have been made so far and the peaceful protesters will not rest till demands are met."
RECAP | CJP Leaders Meet Union Minister JP Nadda, Submit Letter Of Demands
Earlier the court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the centre, why Wangchuk should not be moved to Medanta. Mehta said the centre had no issue with the move, but said it could not happen sans government consent.
The hearing this morning began with the court being taken through medical reports on Wangchuk's health, and the opinion of private doctors and those from two government hospitals - Safdarjung and the neighbouring AIIMS. "There does not seem to be an imminent threat to his life..." Akhil Sibal, a senior advocate appearing for Angmo, said. "Doctors' reports (only) show nothing intravenous is warranted, as of now. Even in government hospitals he has been given oral medicines only."
Sibal also pointed out Wangchuk's health had been monitored even at the protest site. He said: "... his vitals are stable. There are some parameter changes, undoubtedly (but) monitoring is what is being proposed. Monitoring can continue...no difficulty."
The court then heard from a government doctor, who argued: "... WBCs (white blood cells, which fight infections in the body) are low. That is not normal." He indicated the heightened risk of an infection in Wangchuk's weakened state.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk also wrote a letter that was read out by his lawyer.
In it he claimed he been sequestered.
RECAP | Sonam Wangchuk Lists 3 Conditions To End Hunger Strike
"He has written a letter..." Sibal told the court, in which he expresses his anguish and says there are police all around, his device is snatched away, and nobody is allowed (to see him). "People are subject to searches... even papers aren't allowed."
Earlier this week Wangchuk was forcibly removed from the CJP's Jantar Mantar protest site and admitted to Safdarjung. The removal was carried out by police who said they were following court orders to 'do what needs to be done to save his life'.
NDTV Explains | Wangchuk And Hunger Strikes: What The Law Says, And Doesn't
That order was in response to a plea claiming Wangchuk's 20+ day fast had left him in danger of organ failure and death.
