GUWAHATI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday July 16, has sought responses from the centre and the Delhi govt on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent medical intervention for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28.
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A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked the Centre and the Delhi government to respond on the plea by tomorrow due to the “urgent” nature of the issue.
The PIL was filed by advocate and social activist Rakesh Kumar Saini, who sought immediate medical treatment for Sonam Wangchuk and urged the authorities to shift him to a government hospital.
“The government cannot allow that an offence to be committed ‘Abetment of Suicide’ Section 108 of BNS, 2023, failure on the part of the government would virtually amount to commission of abetment of suicide,” the plea said.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. According to the plea, he has lost around 8.5 kg during the protest and his health condition has been deteriorating.
Wangchuk’s protest is linked to demands for accountability over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks. The protest also includes a demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“For this purpose, the simple thing to be done by which it can be ensured is to take him to a government hospital and force feed him the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals, by way of a liquid diet which are necessary for a human body to survive,” the plea further added.