Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo moves Delhi HC to shift him from Safdarjung hospital

Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, a day after the climate and education activist was forcibly hospitalized, said she moved the Delhi High Court and sought an urgent hearing to remove Mr. Wangchuk from Safdarjung Government Hospital.

Also Read: Sonam Wangchuk LIVE hunger strike

She said the hospital told them Mr Wangchuk’s potassium had dropped to 2.9, describing it as alarming and life-threatening, although the hospital “conveniently omitted the actual number” in its public bulletin and referred only to “decreased potassium levels”.

He added that he had lost faith in Safdarjung Government Hospital.

Mr. Wangchuk, who suffered a setback during his hunger strike with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, was caught by plainclothes officers from behind raised curtains and taken to the hospital.

“After 10 hours and repeated requests, when they allowed us to take blood samples at 10.30pm, an independent laboratory reported the test as 3.5, which is within the normal range,” he said, adding: “Despite repeated requests, the hospital refused to discharge him or allow us to transfer him to a private hospital of our choice.”

“With around 30 police personnel on our floor and over 100 police personnel throughout the hospital, our movement is severely restricted. This is not medical care. It is illegal detention,” he added.

Meanwhile, Safdarjung Hospital said in a statement on Sunday, July 19, 2026, that Mr Wangchuk was given “necessary medical attention”, adding that a team of experts was closely monitoring his condition as his blood parameters continued to change marginally due to the physiological stress and systemic effects of prolonged fasting.

“Sonam Wangchuk is receiving necessary medical attention at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital. Her vital parameters are currently stable; however, there is little change in blood parameters and considering the physiological stress and systemic effects of prolonged fasting, she requires continuous medical care under the close observation of a multidisciplinary team of specialists,” the hospital said in a medical bulletin.

“The treatment teams comprising doctors from VMC, Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS, New Delhi are of the opinion that continuous medical attention and 24-hour clinical monitoring are essential to promptly detect and manage any possible complications that may arise despite the patient’s currently stable condition,” the hospital said. he said.

Ms. Angmo said that if anything happened to Mr. Wangchuk, hospital officials and the government should take full responsibility.

“Therefore, I moved the Supreme Court and sought an urgent hearing today, praying that Sonam be allowed to move before her health deteriorates further. No family should have to fight the system to choose where their loved one will receive medical care,” Ms. Angmo added in her emotional note.

(With inputs from PTI)