All medical efforts should be made to protect Sonam Wangchuk's life: Delhi HC orders daily monitoring by doctors

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Central and delhi governments to ensure that the health and medical condition of activist Sonam Wanghcuk, who is on a hunger strike, be monitored on a daily basis by government doctors and that all medical attempts be made to protect his life.

A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the order after the Central and Delhi governments said that Wangchuk's health shall be monitored on a daily basis by government doctors

"Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has stated on instructions that health condition of Wangchuk shall be regularly monitored on daily basis by government doctors. He further told the Court that, depending on the opinion of the doctors, whatever medical intervention is needed to check the deteriorating health condition of Wangchuk shall also be taken. We only observe that life of any citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same. We appreciate the stance taken by Solicitor General and accordingly direct that medical condition of Wangchuk, clinically and otherwise, be regularly monitored on daily basis," the Court said.

The order was passed on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking urgent intervention by the government to save the life of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Wancghuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, after he joined the protests organised by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantra demanding the education minister's resignation over alleged question paper leaks and irregularities in the education system. 

The CJP was born as an online satirical movement that gained traction across social media platforms, particularly among younger users.

The collective was started by Dipke, a resident of Boston, USA. It uses political satire to comment on issues such as unemployment, institutional accountability and media freedom.

The CJP has been protesting since June 20, demanding the resignation of the education minister.

The petitioner before the High Court, advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, moved the Court seeking directions to the Central and Delhi governments to take Wanghcuk to a hospital and force feed him.

As per the petition, Wangchuk's health has deteriorated rapidly; he has lost 8.5 kg and if he continues with his hunger strike, he could end up losing his life in two days.

If he passes away, it would be a matter of great shame for the country and the world, the plea said.

The PIL before the High Court alleged that the government is treating Wangchuk like a hardcore criminal, terrorist or traitor to the nation and is not at all concerned about him.

The least the government can do is provide proper medical attention, even if forcibly, to save his life, the petition said.

As per the plea,

"The simple thing to be done is to take him to a government hospital and force feed him the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals by way of a liquid diet which are necessary for human body to survive."

The petitioner has contended that while people have started alleging that the conscience of the nation is dead, "the petitioner is sure that the conscience of courts is not dead."

Hence, he has prayed for directions to the Union and Delhi governments to force feed Wangchuk to save his life.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central and Delhi governments, told the Court that Wangchuk's health condition is being checked daily by doctors.

"His health checkup is done daily. Whenever he has permitted government doctors for checkup I think the medical report we would be having. Sometimes private doctor also comes and checks," the SG said

"We would like this person to be checked by government doctors regularly. Life is precious," the Court remarked.

"Do you have check up reports?" the Court queried.

The SG said that a report can be prepared.

The Court proceeded to issue directions to ensure that Wangchuk's health condition is monitored regularly.

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