"Even The President Goes To AIIMS": Govt Tells Delhi HC On Plea To Shift Sonam Wangchuk

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Sunday declined to pass any interim order on a petition seeking to shift climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital. Justice Mini Pushkarna said there was no need for any interim direction at this stage. The next hearing has been scheduled for July 24.

What had the court said?

Justice Pushkarna said the doctors at Safdarjung Hospital are continuously monitoring Wangchuk's condition. She said it cannot be said that any kind of force is being used against him.

Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday, the 21st day of his hunger strike. He had been sitting on a fast at Jantar Mantar since June 28 to protest alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the suicides of several students following the cancellation of the exam.

What is the Government's stand?

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma appeared for the government and told the court there is no reason for any suspicion in this matter. He assured the court that Wangchuk's medical reports will be shared with his wife. Sharma said after 18 days of hunger strike Wangchuk's health had deteriorated significantly and the police had to step in. He said doctors from AIIMS are also monitoring his condition alongside Safdarjung doctors. He pointed out that government doctors carry special weight in legal proceedings and even the President of India gets treated at AIIMS. He said the government has to be extremely careful in this case because whatever happens will have consequences. He added that if directed by the court Wangchuk can be moved to AIIMS.

What had the petitioner argued?

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for the petitioner and told the court they want Wangchuk shifted to Medanta Hospital. He said the Safdarjung doctors could also be part of that medical team. Sibal argued that no one can be forced to undergo treatment and that the High Court's July 16 order was passed without hearing the other side. He stressed that Wangchuk is not under any detention and questioned whether a person can be denied the right to be treated at a hospital of their choice. He also raised objections to the presence of police near Wangchuk's room inside the hospital.

Wangchuk's wife Geetanjali J. Angmo, who filed the petition, told the court she has lost confidence in Safdarjung Hospital and wants her husband moved somewhere he can be comfortable. She said Medanta has agreed to send an emergency van. She added that as a citizen of this country nobody can stop her from taking him where she wants.