“Illegal Detention” Allegation Reaches Delhi High Court as Sonam Wangchuk’s Wife Seeks Urgent Hearing
Climate activist and education reform campaigner Sonam Wangchuk’s prolonged hunger strike has taken a fresh legal turn after his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, approached the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent hearing to shift him from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility. The petition alleges that Wangchuk is being kept under “illegal detention” at the government hospital and that his family has lost faith in the treatment and transparency surrounding his care.
According to the plea, Angmo has requested the High Court to permit Wangchuk’s immediate transfer to a private hospital of her choice, arguing that his health has deteriorated significantly after more than three weeks of continuous hunger strike. She has also alleged that restrictions have been imposed on the family’s movement and access, making it impossible to independently assess his medical condition.
The petition contends that Wangchuk’s continued stay at Safdarjung Hospital is no longer based solely on medical considerations but effectively amounts to unlawful confinement. His wife has claimed there has been insufficient transparency regarding his treatment and that repeated requests for greater clarity have not been adequately addressed by the authorities.
The legal challenge comes against the backdrop of Wangchuk’s nationwide campaign demanding reforms in India’s education system. His hunger strike, which began at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has drawn support from students, academics and civil society groups. As his health reportedly worsened, authorities shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital under medical supervision. Hospital authorities have maintained that his condition remains stable but requires continuous monitoring and medical intervention.
Separately, Wangchuk released a public message from the hospital describing his stay as an “illegal detention” and urging supporters to continue advocating for “freedom from fear” and “freedom from injustice.” His remarks have further intensified the debate over the balance between protecting a hunger striker’s life and respecting an individual’s right to protest.
The Delhi High Court is expected to consider Angmo’s request on an urgent basis. The court’s decision could determine whether Wangchuk remains under treatment at the government-run Safdarjung Hospital or is permitted to receive care at a private medical facility, while also addressing the allegations concerning the legality of his continued hospitalization.
The case has once again brought national attention to the handling of prolonged hunger strikes, patients’ autonomy in medical treatment, and the constitutional questions surrounding personal liberty and state intervention during public protests. Legal observers note that the High Court’s ruling could have wider implications for similar cases involving activists receiving compulsory medical care during demonstrations.
