Delhi High Court Allows Sonam Wangchuk To Shift To Medanta Hospital Of His Choice

New Delhi: Climate activist and social worker from Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk, has got big relief from the Delhi High Court. The court on Tuesday allowed him to be transferred from Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. Chief Justice D.K. A division bench of Justice Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia said that the right of a person to get treatment in the hospital of his choice is part of his fundamental rights.

The court directed that Wangchuk's treatment continue at Medanta Hospital under the supervision of a panel of specialist doctors. This order was given by his wife Gitanjali J. Given during the hearing on the petition filed by Angmo.

What orders did the court give regarding treatment?

Delhi High Court made it clear that Sonam Wangchuk should be immediately shifted to Medanta Hospital. Also, all the medical tests, investigation reports, treatment related records and other documents done so far in Safdarjung Hospital should be made available to Medanta Hospital so that the treatment process can continue without any interruption. The court also directed Medanta to constitute a panel of expert doctors who would continuously monitor his health condition.

What did the central government say?

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government, told the court that the government had no objection to taking Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital. However, he also said that he should not be discharged from the hospital against the advice of doctors. He said that if Wangchuk leaves the treatment incomplete and returns to the protest site, his health could be in serious danger.

What comment did the court make on the doctors' opinion?

Citing Wangchuk's medical report and the opinion of the doctors treating him, the high court said his health condition still requires constant medical monitoring. The court held that observation was possible in any competent hospital, but since Wangchuk and his family wanted treatment at Medanta Hospital, transfer there would be appropriate. The court also said that this would protect their fundamental rights.

What did the wife say about the court's decision?

After the verdict, Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J. Angmo expressed gratitude to Delhi High Court on social media platform X. She said that understanding the concerns of her family, the court has allowed treatment in the hospital of her choice. She also alleged that the conditions of admission in Safdarjung Hospital felt more like detention than treatment. Earlier, she had also claimed that there were contradictions in the medical reports of the hospital.

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

What is the situation regarding the hunger strike?

Sonam Wangchuk was sitting on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for a long time. He was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated. Before the hearing, he had said that his fast would continue until the protesters and students demanding accountability in the alleged NEET-UG question paper leak case are not allowed to meet MPs. Now it is expected that his fast will continue even after transfer to Medanta Hospital.

What will happen next now?

Following the court order, Sonam Wangchuk will soon be taken to Medanta Hospital, where a team of specialist doctors will regularly monitor her health and plan further treatment. On the other hand, representatives associated with the protest met Union Health Minister JP Nadda and submitted a memorandum of their demands. They say that until concrete action is not taken on their demands, the movement will continue peacefully.