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

A woman identified as Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk, has filed a request with a court in New Delhi to transfer her husband from a government hospital to a private facility. She alleges that Wangchuk has been subjected to “illegal detention” and has repeatedly requested to be moved, according to a post she made on social media platform X on July 19. Wangchuk, who is 59 years old, was moved to the state-run Safdarjung Hospital against his will by security personnel. The hospital confirmed on July 19 that his vital signs remain stable, though his blood parameters show “marginally altered” readings, requiring ongoing medical care and continuous monitoring. Despite these conditions, attempts to reach the hospital or its director through phone calls went unanswered. Wangchuk has been fasting since June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a group founded by young Indians. The party is demanding that federal Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign following allegations of leaked exam papers in May that impacted millions of students. This campaign represents one of the few public challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration and has garnered widespread backing across the country. Earlier, on July 17, Wangchuk informed government doctors that he did not want to be transferred to a hospital. On July 18, he reportedly refused treatment, according to hospital authorities. His wife described the situation as highly restrictive, noting that approximately 30 police officers were stationed on their floor and more than 100 throughout the hospital, significantly limiting their freedom of movement. The Delhi Police, which operates under the federal Home Ministry, did not respond to inquiries via phone or email. Meanwhile, on July 16, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health closely and take action if necessary, responding to a petition that sought to compel him to receive food through force feeding due to his deteriorating condition. The CJP plans to organize a protest at Parliament on July 20, during the commencement of its new legislative session, to further push its demands. The group continues to gain traction, drawing attention to issues of transparency and accountability within the education sector. As the situation unfolds, the legal and political implications of Wangchuk’s case remain unclear. The family's appeal to the court highlights broader concerns regarding the treatment of activists and the balance between public safety and individual rights. With the upcoming demonstration, the spotlight on this issue is likely to intensify, prompting further scrutiny from both local and national levels.