The Delhi High Court on Sunday dismissed a petition filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, and refused to grant interim relief to shift the activist from Safdarjung Hospital to a hospital of their choice. The government decided to transfer Wangchuk to hospital on 18 July when his health rapidly deteriorated after 21 days of hunger strike. The court accepted the central government’s stand and held that the transfer was not an arbitrary act but an urgent medical decision.
Hearing the case, Justice Mini Pushkar said the decision to shift Sonam Wangchuk from the hunger strike site to Safdarjung Hospital was taken due to her critical health. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued in court for the petitioner that Wangchuk was not accused or detained for any crime and therefore had the right to seek treatment from doctors and hospitals of his choice. The family wanted to take him to Medanta Hospital and alleged that Wangchuk’s private doctors did not allow him to see him.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the central government, told the court that Wangchuk’s condition had turned critical after the 18-day fast. His potassium level has dropped to 2.8, requiring urgent medical monitoring. The move is in compliance with the High Court’s July 16 order. Dr Akshay, additional professor of emergency medicine at AIIMS, who was present in the court, said Wangchuk was started on solid food, potassium chloride and ORS by mouth with his consent, though he was not given saline or IV fluids.
Wangchuk’s wife, meanwhile, addressed the court and alleged that the family was informed of the low potassium levels late. An ambulance was ready from Medanta Hospital but they were not allowed to shift. However, the Additional Solicitor General clarified that Wangchuck has been given a separate room at Safdarjung Hospital and his wife, brother and sister-in-law are fully allowed to visit him without hindrance.
After hearing all the parties, the court ruled that since the team of doctors at Safdarjung Hospital was monitoring the worker’s health round the clock, there was no coercion or violation of his physical freedom. It was reasonable for the authorities to evacuate Wangchuk as he refused to be hospitalized himself despite his deteriorating health.