Delhi High Court hears plea to transfer Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital

The Delhi High Court denied activist Sonam Wangchuk's discharge from Safdarjung Hospital, stating the government's decision to move him was not arbitrary. The court observed that there was no violation of his right to bodily autonomy.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Sunday declined to pass an interim order directing the immediate transfer of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, observing that doctors at the government-run facility were closely monitoring his condition and that there was no evidence of force being used in his treatment.The Delhi High Court refuses to order Sonam Wangchuk’s immediate transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital. https://t.co/oUjq3EgLj9— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) July 19, 2026 The court was hearing an urgent petition filed by Wangchuk's wife, Dr Gitanjali J Angmo, seeking permission to shift him to a private hospital of the family's choice.Appearing for Wangchuk, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the activist was not under detention and, as an Indian citizen, had the fundamental right to choose where he wished to receive medical treatment. He told the court that Wangchuk wanted to be treated at Medanta Hospital and suggested that if the government had concerns, it could appoint a doctor of its choice to monitor his health there.Opposing the plea, the Centre submitted that Safdarjung Hospital was among the country's best facilities for emergency medicine and said it was even prepared to shift Wangchuk to AIIMS, New Delhi, if required. The government also maintained that Wangchuk needed to cooperate with the treating doctors, arguing that medical professionals should be allowed to take appropriate steps to protect his health.Delhi HC To Urgently Hear Sonam Wangchuk's Plea Seeking Transfer From Safdarjung Hospital At; SG Tushar Mehta Likely To Appear VirtuallyThe Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital informed the court that Wangchuk had not cooperated with the treating team since his admission and had expressed a lack of trust in the hospital.Addressing the bench, Dr Angmo alleged that police personnel stationed inside the hospital monitored her conversations with her husband. She also claimed it took nearly 10 hours for the hospital to provide blood samples required to check his potassium levels, saying the delay had eroded the family's trust in the institution. She reiterated that Wangchuk was not under detention and insisted that the family had the right to seek treatment at Medanta.In its order, the High Court held that the government's decision to admit Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital on medical grounds was neither arbitrary nor illegal. The bench noted that the hospital's doctors were closely monitoring his condition and that only oral treatment had been administered with his consent, indicating that no force had been used.'If Anything Happens To Sonam ....': Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Moves Delhi HC Over Medical CareThe court also observed that although Wangchuk was not under detention, he had not voluntarily admitted himself to any hospital, making the government's intervention justified in the circumstances. Emphasising that "every life is precious," the bench took note of the Centre's submission that Wangchuk's wife and brother had been granted unrestricted, 24-hour access to him, with a separate room provided for the family to remain by his side.Finding no immediate grounds for judicial intervention, the High Court declined to grant interim relief. During the proceedings, the Centre also sought directions allowing doctors to take any steps necessary to save Wangchuk's life. The bench responded that such decisions would ultimately rest with the medical team treating him.

The observation came during the hearing of a plea filed by Wangchuk's wife, Dr Gitanjali Angmo, seeking permission to shift to a private medical facility of their choice.

The Delhi HC upheld the Centre's decision to move Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital. The court found the government's action was not arbitrary given his health condition. His wife's petition for transfer to a private hospital was declined by the court. The court noted Wangchuk's family has been given unrestricted access to him.

Delhi High Court is holding a special hearing on Sonam Wangchuk's wife's request to shift him from Safdarjung hospital to a private facility.

The Delhi High Court is set to hear an urgent petition filed by activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Dr Gitanjali J. Angmo, seeking his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility of the family's choice.In a post on X, Wangchuk's wife said the matter has been listed for hearing at 2:30 PM before Justice Mini Pushkarna. According to a report on Live Law, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is likely to appear virtually during the proceedings.Petition Filed In Early Hours Of MondayAccording to a statement shared by Gitanjali Angmo on social media, the writ petition was filed at around 4 AM, requesting that he be discharged from Safdarjung Hospital and shifted to a private hospital chosen by his family.Sharing the update, Wangchuk expressed confidence in the judicial process and thanked the legal team representing him.The writ petition that was filed at 4 am seeking discharge of @Wangchuk66 from Safdarjung to a hospital of our choice this morning has been has been granted an emergency hearing by the #Delhihighcourt. The case has been listed at 2.30 pm before Justice Mini Pushkarna! We have…— Gitanjali J Angmo (@GitanjaliAngmo) July 19, 2026 "The writ petition filed at 4 AM seeking my discharge from Safdarjung Hospital to a hospital of our choice has been granted an emergency hearing by the Delhi High Court. We have full faith in the judiciary and the High Court of Delhi."She also thanked senior advocates V. T. Tankha, Kapil Sibal and advocate Bahuli Sharma for representing him pro bono.'If Anything Happens To Sonam ....': Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Moves Delhi HC Over Medical Care Hospitalisation Followed Hunger StrikeThe legal development comes after Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police following the deterioration of his health during his prolonged hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.Police have maintained that he was admitted on medical advice and in compliance with court directions, while Wangchuk has described his hospitalisation as an "illegal detention."The High Court's decision on the transfer plea is expected later today after the emergency hearing.