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[POLITICS] · India · 99 sources

Delhi High Court Rejects Transfer Request for Activist Sonam Wangchuk

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, has been on an indefinite hunger strike since 28 June demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam paper leaks. Police removed him from Jantar Mantar and placed him in Safdarjung Government Hospital. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, filed a petition with the Delhi High Court seeking his transfer to a private facility, alleging "illegal detention" and citing heavy police presence inside the hospital. On 19 July, Justice Mini Pushkarna declined to grant interim relief, ruling that the government’s decision to hospitalise Wangchuk was not arbitrary, did not violate his bodily autonomy, and was taken under legal authority to safeguard his health. The court affirmed that Wangchuk is not under detention, allowed his family unrestricted visitation, and ordered the government, police and hospital to submit a status report within three days. Safdarjung Hospital reports his vital signs are stable but that he requires continuous monitoring due to low sugar, sodium and potassium levels. The case sits amid broader student and activist protests, including plans for a march to Parliament.

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