New Delhi9 minutes agoAuthor: Shubhi Patel/ Sourav Rai
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipak sat on a fast on Saturday after Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar.
The Delhi High Court on Sunday heard the case of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. The court said he was shifted to the government hospital after his health deteriorated and in line with an earlier order passed by a division bench.
The court observed that the government’s decision could not be called arbitrary and noted that Wangchuk is receiving only those medicines to which he has given his consent. It directed the Centre, the Delhi government and Delhi Police to file their replies within three days.
The plea was filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, seeking his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital of his choice. The next hearing is scheduled for July 24.
Delhi Police had shifted Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning. He has continued his hunger strike while admitted to the hospital.
Wangchuk and the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) have been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, demanding accountability in the NEET paper leak case and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
July 18: Wangchuk taken to hospital, sequence of events in 3 pictures…
Police arrived in civil dress at Jantar Mantar around 7 AM.
Police and Central Force personnel lifted Wangchuk from between white sheets.
Police carried Wangchuk to the ambulance. Then admitted him to Safdarjung Hospital.
For more updates, go through the blog below…
Live Updates
Assessing the health of Sonam Wangchuk, Apollo Hospital’s Dr Surajit Chatterjee says oral treatment should start.
He says, “The health briefing of Sonam Wangchuk by Safdarjung Hospital says that he is conscious and oriented; pulse and BP are stable. But some blood and urine parameters are problematic, ketones have increased in urine, and there is a problem with potassium.
Since it has been 21 days of fasting, the body would be utilising fat and muscles, if it is not monitored well and treatment is not started, the criticality will increase. It will start affecting kidney, liver and heart can be affected. Oral treatment should start.”
“Concern for health a charade”: Gitanjali Angmo says govt afraid of Sonam Wangchuk joining the 20 July march.
Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad on Sunday said the forced removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site would become a “major political issue”, accusing the BJP-led Centre of suppressing democratic dissent and neglecting issues related to education.
On activist Sonam Wangchuk, NC President Farooq Abdullah says, “Given the current situation, I wish to say this to the people of India, if we are to save India, we must save its democracy.
India belongs to all of us and not to just one person. That is why it is so vibrant and diverse. We want India to remain vibrant, democracy to endure within it and for people to be valued.
Yet, that sense of valuing people seems to be missing these days. I salute this son who is risking his life for the cause of his people. No one is separate from India, but to keep India alive, we need people like him.”
Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo says, “Sonam Wangchuk is not the cause of this movement; he has only been a voice for the youth. The awakening has already begun, and whether he joins tomorrow’s march or not, the movement will continue. If he is not allowed to leave the hospital, it will only strengthen public support.
Tomorrow’s march is just the beginning, aimed at sensitising parliamentarians to focus on policy. The education campaign will continue, with people across the country joining the movement in their own way.”
After meeting the protestors at Jantar Mantar, National Conference chief and former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah says, “I hope the government will respect the wishes of the people of this country.
I hope they will work for the good of this country and that the problems of Ladakh will also be solved and the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored.”
After the Delhi High Court rejected a plea seeking the transfer of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private facility, his wife, Geetanjali Angmo, says, “The Centre’s actions prove that it is not concerned about Sonam Wangchuk’s health. His hospitalisation is an illegal detention.”
On the plea seeking Sonam Wangchuk’s transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital, Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Gitanjali Angmo, says, “They said they brought him in because they were deeply concerned about his health as it was declining.
But these claims are incorrect. First of all, his health was not deteriorating at all. If you look at the reports from the evening prior, everything was absolutely normal; his potassium level was 4.3, and all other parameters were normal too. If you were truly so concerned about his health, why did you send police personnel in plainclothes?”
On the plea seeking Sonam Wangchuk’s transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital, Advocate Vivek Tankha says,
“Today, the High Court heard both sides and issued a detailed order addressing various points. The Court also directed that reports be shared with her (Sonam Wangchuk’s wife).
We also raised a complaint regarding the hostile atmosphere there; there are 30 policemen stationed near or outside the room and another 100 on the ground floor.
Given this situation, wouldn’t a patient’s blood pressure spike rather than drop? For Sonam Wangchuk to recover, he needs an environment of his own and his own doctors.”
Delhi High Court notes the statement of ASG that medical reports shall be shared with Wangchuk’s family.
After stating that no interim order is required at this stage, the Delhi High Court on Sunday called on doctors and the Centre to provide a status report on Sonam Wangchuk’s health within the next three days.
Addressing the Delhi High Court, a doctor who belongs to the team supervising Sonam Wangchuk said that the activist is being treated accordingly and with consent.
“We have been treating Wangchuk. He started some oral fluids, and in the evening, he started taking potassium chloride orally and some oral ORS without sugar.
We have been trying to talk to him continuously for IV fluids, but he has denied it,” the doctor said.
“Wangchuk needs to have vitamins. Some of his parameters are borderline, and some have been on the lower side, like potassium and sugar levels have been on the lower side of normal,” the doctor added.
The Delhi High Court has said that it has to see the larger picture, adding that Sonam Wangchuk was not detained by the police.
“The court has to see the larger picture. Mr Wangchuk is not in detention, but the wife, brother and brother-in-law have been given access,” Justice Pushkarna said on Sunday.
The Centre’s lawyer has argued that the HC’s earlier order to monitor Wangchuk’s health had guided the action taken.
“He should, like any other individual in this country, have complete faith in doctors (at the government hospital),” remarked ASG Chetan Sharma, suggesting that Sonam Wangchuk could be shifted to AIIMS, the premier government hospital “where the President of India takes treatment too”.
Kapil Sibal: There is nothing on record to justify the action. Everything is normal. On what basis was Sonam Wangchuk taken to the hospital forcibly? There is nothing to support such a decision.
Court: The court has to look at the larger picture. Mr Wangchuk is not under detention, and his wife, brother and other family members have been given access to meet him.
Kapil Sibal: When the earlier order was passed, I was not a party to the case. It was an ex parte order against us.
Sonam Wangchuk should be allowed to receive treatment at the hospital of his choice. How can the government object to that? Medanta is a world-renowned hospital.
Court: Is it not the court’s duty to ensure that he receives proper medical care after 18 days of fasting?
The court also noted that no treatment has been administered to him physically so far.
Kapil Sibal: Sonam Wangchuk had earlier observed a 35-day fast in Ladakh without any intervention. The government has a duty to care for him, and he accepts that.
However, he should be allowed to receive treatment at the hospital of his choice. If doctors from AIIMS are part of his treatment, he has no objection.
Court: The human body is unpredictable, and no one can say how it may react.
The court also asked why the government had stepped in to intervene.
Doctor says, Sonam Wangchuk needs intravenous (IV) vitamins, but he is not allowing IV access. Some of his health parameters are borderline, with sodium and blood sugar levels lower than normal.
He is also in a state of ketosis, meaning his body has started breaking down fat due to prolonged fasting.
Dr Akshay, additional professor at Aiims says, “We have been treating him. Monitoring him closely. He started oral fluids yesterday. He took potassium orals yesterday and oral ORS without sugar. We have been trying to talk to him about fluids. He has denied it.”
ASG Chetan Sharma: We have ensured that Ms Wangchuk is with him at the hospital. She has been allowed to stay by his side. The petition seeks 24×7 access, and the court may consider that request.
ASG Chetan Sharma for the Centre says that Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung due to his deteriorating condition.
“18 days of fasting in a weather that is humid and dehydrates any normal person, and if you are on a fast, in this weather, this leads to ketosis syndrome. It will not be within parameters, but it can later lead to shock and Hypokalemia.
This has to be potassium-centric but at the same time an all-round appreciation of the medical condition. We do not have 1 but 2 doctors. He is admitted in the emergency division,” he says.
The law officer added that whatever has been administered to Wangchuk has been administered with his consent.
Advocate Kapil Sibal, who is appearing before the court for Sonam Wangchuk, stated that they intend to shift the activist to Medanta.
Sibal says that currently, they’re seeking a limited prayer for discharge.
He says that the hospital is not being given access to his own doctors, lawyers, and they do not know what prescription is being prescribed
Justice Mini Pushkarna arrives. Hearing commences.
The Delhi High Court has begun hearing the plea filed by Gitanjali Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Vivek Tankha are appearing for the petitioner, while Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma is representing the Centre.
Gitanjali J Angmo says, “We have full faith in the judiciary and the High Court of Delhi!! Thank you, @VTankha ji, @KapilSibal ji and Bahuli Sharma for once again helping us pro bono and fighting for us!!”
The Delhi High Court will hear the plea filed by Gitanjali Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, at 2:30 PM today.
Safdarjung Hospital has released a medical case summary detailing activist Sonam Wangchuk’s condition following his admission.
According to the hospital, the 59-year-old was brought to VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police at 7.40am on 18 July 2026 after undertaking a 20-day fast and complaining of generalised weakness. He was conscious on admission, with stable blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation, but doctors noted signs of dehydration, including dry mucous membranes and reduced skin elasticity.
Initial blood tests showed compensated acidosis, a low serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L and a blood glucose level of 78 mg/dL. Repeat tests confirmed potassium levels remained low at 2.92 mEq/L. Urinary ketone levels increased from 1+ at the time of admission to 3+ by 1pm, indicating the physiological effects of prolonged fasting.
The hospital said doctors advised intravenous fluids, but Wangchuk declined IV treatment, oral rehydration solution and all other medication. He remains under continuous medical observation and is being counselled to accept treatment.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh posted on X that he had requested the Rajya Sabha Chairman to discuss the paper leak and Sonam Wangchuk’s demands in Parliament.
BJD president and Odisha Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik called on the government to open a meaningful dialogue with students who have been protesting peacefully for days.
In a post on X, Patnaik said the students should be given a platform to express their views, adding that “a vibrant democracy advances through dialogue, not silence”. He also said the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) stood firmly with the youth and students of the country.
Former Delhi Education Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia will join the protest at Jantar Mantar at 3 PM.
The CJP supporters also demonstrated in Bengaluru on Sunday. More than 100 people took to the streets in support of Sonam Wangchuk and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, according to media reports.
Senior Delhi Police officials said the CJP would not be allowed to march to Parliament, as it could lead to a law and order situation in the most security-sensitive areas of the capital.
According to officials, any large crowd moving towards Parliament could pose a threat to public safety and severely impact traffic in Lutyens’ Delhi (Central Delhi).
He also made it clear that if the protesters tried to break the security cordon, they could be detained.
Police arrived in civil dress at Jantar Mantar around 7 AM in the morning.
Police and Central Force personnel lifted Wangchuk from between white sheets.
Police carried Wangchuk to the ambulance. Then admitted him to Safdarjung Hospital.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, in a post on X, said, “If anything happens to Sonam Sir, the Modi government will be responsible.”
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Gitanjali Angmo, has approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to shift him from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility.
In her plea, she alleged that Wangchuk was being kept at the government hospital against his wishes under the pretext of medical treatment. She said she had lost confidence in the care being provided there and claimed that, despite repeated requests from the family, hospital authorities had neither discharged him nor allowed him to move to a private hospital of his choice.
Delhi Police detained Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar and took him to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning.
According to sources, Delhi Police headquarters instructed officers to shift Wangchuk to the hospital at around 1.30am on Saturday.
Officers from Mandir Marg police station subsequently drew up an operational plan and rehearsed moving him into an ambulance in under a minute to avoid confrontation.
Sources also claimed there were discussions about deploying signal jammers to prevent videos of the operation from being circulated.
On the night of July 18th, CJP protesters continued to gather at Jantar Mantar. People arrived there with posters protesting the government. Azad Samaj Party leader Chandrashekhar Azad also arrived.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said he was conserving his energy for Monday’s Parliament march. He told supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar that he would conserve his strength for tomorrow’s march.
He further said that this movement has reached a very important juncture, hence we have to ensure that this protest does not end by tomorrow.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk shared a message on X calling for a march to Parliament on 20 July, describing it as “India’s second freedom movement” against injustice and fear.
The message, sent through his wife Gitanjali from what he described as his “illegal detention” at Safdarjung Hospital, urged supporters to make the march a success. Wangchuk cited demands for freedom from issues such as paper leaks and alleged misuse of power.
Security has been tightened around Jantar Mantar ahead of the CJP’s Parliament march on Monday. According to police, more than 100 soldiers and Rapid Action Force (RAF) units have been deployed around Jantar Mantar.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Vaishnavi Gaur said the police were informed well in advance about the march to Parliament House on July 20.
She rejected the claim of Delhi Police in which it was said that the CJP had not given information about the Parliament Chalo march.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk is receiving necessary medical care at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital. His vital signs are currently stable, but blood parameters remain slightly abnormal.
Doctors said that due to the physical stress and systemic impact of prolonged fasting, he requires continuous monitoring by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
CJP founder Dipke shared a picture showing a large number of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said he was on the second day of his hunger strike and had begun to understand the challenges faced by those undertaking prolonged fasts.
“I salute Sonam Sir and the students who are also on hunger strike. I am conserving my energy for tomorrow’s march,” he said.
The CJP has announced a march to Parliament on 20 July, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said the march would go ahead “at any cost”. Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali, claimed that she will also join the demonstration.
However, police sources said the CJP has not sought permission for the march, and any application submitted now is unlikely to be approved.
Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS) are in force across New Delhi district during the parliamentary session, particularly around Parliament and India Gate. Those participating in an unauthorised march could be taken into custody.
According to Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk was admitted at 7.40am on Saturday. Doctors said he was showing signs of dehydration, potassium deficiency and other metabolic imbalances and were attempting to persuade him to accept treatment.
His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has insisted that no treatment should be administered without the family’s consent. New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma said the decision to move Wangchuk to hospital was taken in accordance with High Court directions, his medical condition and doctors’ advice.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged that Wangchuk was manhandled during the operation and that protesters were assaulted by police. Delhi Police denied the allegations.
The CJP has also expanded its demands, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in addition to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Wangchuk previously spent 170 days in Jodhpur jail for his hunger strike demanding full statehood for Ladakh. He was accused of inciting violence in Leh on September 24, 2025, during which four people were killed and 90 injured.
The government accused Wangchuk of inciting violence. Two days later, on September 26, he was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and sent to Jodhpur jail.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20 against the NEET paper leak. They are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk had also joined their movement. CJP was formed after Chief Justice Suryakant compared unemployed youth to cockroaches.
Sonam Wangchuk, who has been admitted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, has continued his indefinite hunger strike, refusing intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution (ORS), and medication.
He has been fasting since 28 June, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
