Wife of Indian activist Wangchuk asks court to move him to private hospital

The wife of Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has approached an Indian court, seeking permission to transfer him from a government hospital to a private facility. Gitanjali Angmo alleges that her husband is being held in "illegal detention" and that the hospital has refused repeated requests to discharge him or allow a transfer.

Wangchuk was moved to the state-run Safdarjung Hospital by security personnel on Saturday, against his stated wishes. Hospital authorities reported on Sunday that his vital signs were stable, though some blood parameters remained "marginally altered," indicating a need for continued medical intervention and monitoring. Attempts to reach the hospital and its director for comment were unsuccessful.

The activist, 59, had been on a hunger strike since June 28. His fast was in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a group of Indian youths demanding the federal Education Minister's resignation over exam paper leaks that affected millions of students in May. This campaign has emerged as a significant public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and has garnered support nationwide.

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Despite repeated requests, the hospital has refused to discharge him or allow us to shift him to a private hospital of our choice.

Wangchuk had previously informed government doctors on Friday that he did not wish to be moved to a hospital and was refusing treatment on Saturday, according to hospital authorities. Angmo stated on Sunday that their movement is severely restricted, with approximately 30 police personnel on their floor and over 100 across the hospital. The Delhi Police, which reports to India's federal home ministry, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier on Thursday, the Delhi High Court had urged authorities to closely monitor Wangchuk's health and intervene if necessary, following a petition requesting that he be force-fed as his health deteriorated. The CJP plans to march to Parliament on Monday, the first day of the new session, to press their demands.

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With around 30 police personnel stationed on our floor and well over 100 across the hospital, our movement is severely restricted.