Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Gitanjali Angmo on Monday approached the Delhi High Court again, challenging the Single Judge’s order that declined her plea to shift Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital of his choice.
In her fresh appeal, Angmo has contended that the Single Judge’s order effectively deprives Wangchuk and his family of the right to decide his medical treatment and place of treatment. Her appeal further argues that the order overlooks the principles of informed consent, bodily autonomy under Article 21, and unlawfully confines Wangchuk to the government hospital despite there being no order of arrest or detention against him, as reported by ANI.
Also read: Sonam Wangchuk sets three conditions to call off his hunger strike
Angmo further claimed that Wangchuk’s continued stay at Safdarjung Hospital violates his fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21, including his right to continue his protest, and relies on Supreme Court judgments on informed consent and patients’ autonomy.
Earlier on Sunday, the Delhi High Court ruled that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk shall continue receiving treatment at Safdarjung Hospital until the next hearing, declining to pass any interim order on his wife Gitanjali J Angmo's plea seeking his transfer to a private hospital.
The court had observed that doctors at Safdarjung Hospital were closely monitoring Wangchuk's medical condition and had administered only oral treatment with his consent. It found no material to suggest that any force had been used against him and noted that Wangchuk was 'not under detention'.
However, the court obsered that since he had not voluntarily admitted himself to any hospital despite his deteriorating condition, the government was within its rights to shift him to a government facility.
Also read: Delhi HC rejects plea seeking transfer of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung hospital
Three conditions to call off hunger strike
Sonam Wangchuk on Monday said he would end his hunger strike if the government accepts responsibility for recent failures in the education system, including paper leaks. He added that accountability for these issues was the first condition for calling off his fast.
Alternatively, Wangchuk stated he would end the protest if he and the leadership of the CJP reach Parliament and Members of Parliament or leaders of various political parties assure them that the issue of education accountability will be raised during the Monsoon Session.
As a third condition, the activist said that if his health or other circumstances prevent him from reaching Parliament, he would end his fast if MPs and leaders from different parties visit him at Safdarjung Hospital and provide the same assurance. He also alleged that he was under "illegal detention" at the hospital, claiming his freedom of movement, speech and communication had been restricted.
