The Delhi High Court on Tuesday “proposed” an order allowing the transfer of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, while ensuring continuity of his treatment.
Hearing the appeal filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmu, Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said all medical records and reports available with Safdarjung Hospital will be shared with Medanta. Track the CJP’s July 21 protest live here
The court also said it would direct the director of Medanta Hospital to form a committee of doctors to supervise Wangchuk’s treatment after his transfer.
“What we propose to do is to shift him to a hospital of his choice. He will be treated by Medanta and all the reports done at Savradhon will be submitted to Medanta and he will be treated there by a committee of doctors to be constituted by Medanta. We will pass the order after lunch,” the court said.
Gitanjali Angmo thanked the Supreme Court in the X case. “My sincere thanks to the Delhi High Court for passing a positive order discharging the accused.” [Sonam Wangchuk] To Mmedanta, the hospital of choice! I also thank you from the heart [Sibal Akhil] And Baholi Sharma and their teams for this victory despite incredible odds in record time!!
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The HC heard the appeal filed by Wangchuk’s wife
The Supreme Court heard Angmo’s appeal challenging a single judge’s order refusing to discharge him from Safdarjung Hospital and allowing his transfer to a private facility. The court had earlier requested access to Wangchuk’s complete medical records.
CJ Upadhyaya and Justice Karia had earlier directed Safdarjung Hospital to submit all pathology reports, including tests conducted by AIIMS and a private laboratory, along with every medical bulletin issued during Wangchuk’s treatment.
Sibal questions Wangchuk’s admission to the hospital
Senior advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Angmo, said Wangchuk was transferred from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday without consultation and in the absence of any medical emergency, despite a July 16 court order directing authorities only to monitor his health and take medical intervention if necessary.
AIIMS doctors and Wangchuk’s former treating doctor were asked to attend the hearing.
Bench asks doctors about medical condition
During the hearing, Chief Justice Upadhyaya asked hospital doctors about Wangchuk’s high levels of urea and uric acid.
“What about high levels of urea and uric acid? Isn’t high acid an indication that something is wrong?” the chief justice asked, according to the Bar and Bench.
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One doctor replied: “When we do not eat glucose, the source of energy is fat. Due to the breakdown of fat, ketones appear in the urine. After days of fasting, these changes become normal.”
Earlier, Sibal told the court that Wangchuk was treated continuously by two doctors throughout his hunger strike. “The court’s concern is to save his life first. We are not concerned with anything else. So whatever samples you have analysed… please compile this report and submit it on an affidavit,” the bench said on Monday.
Sibal said Wangchuk was conscious, not in the intensive care unit, and should be allowed to decide where to receive treatment.
background
Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar and forcefully admitted him to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday, the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike over paper leaks and deaths of students linked to NEET exam cancellation. He is now on the 24th day of his fast in the hospital.
On Sunday, Judge Minni Pushkarna refused to order his transfer to a private hospital, noting that the transfer of the fasting activist to Safdarjung Hospital was not arbitrary and that the treating medical team should continue to determine his treatment in accordance with the medical protocol.
