Delhi HC seeks govt’s response on plea seeking medical intervention for Wangchuk

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent medical intervention for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28.

Calling the matter ‘urgent’, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia has sought the Central and Delhi governments stand by tomorrow.

The development comes in a plea been filed by lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini. “Most unfortunate situation. Social activist who is on protest in exercise of his fundamental right against highly criticised govt actual is virtually committing an act of taking his own life in front of whole nation,” he submitted while appearing in-person. The Court however adjourned the matter till tomorrow, citing absence of counsel for Union of India.

“We are entertaining your petition. We will post this tomorrow. We will require UOI to obtain instruction. We will ask Registry to give this order to authorities today itself,” the judges said orally.

“Having regard to the urgency, list tomorrow. Let copy of this order be served to ASG and standing counsel civil GNCTD,” the Court said Saini seeks urgent directions to the Central Government and the Delhi Government to shift Wangchuk to a hospital and administer necessary medical treatment, including force-feeding.

A direction is also sought on the government to protect life and health of Wangchuk. “….take him to a government hospital and force feed him the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals, by way of a liquid diet which are necessary for a human body to survive,” the plea states.

Pertinently, Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak.

His protest is organized in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-centric political movement. Wangchuk began the fast on June 28. As his protest entered its third week, his condition noticeably worsened, with reports indicating he has lost over 8 kg and experienced dropping blood sugar levels.

“We will serve notice to learned ASG. Let copy of this order be served to ASG and standing counsel civil GNCTD,” the Court ordered today.