Delhi HC to Hear Petition on Hospitalising Sonam Wangchuk

A public interest petition seeking urgent medical intervention for activist Sonam Wangchuk was scheduled for a hearing in the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 18th day. The plea, filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, urges authorities to shift Wangchuk to a government hospital and provide necessary medical support, including force-feeding if required, citing a serious risk to his life.

Wangchuk, an education reformist and climate activist from Ladakh, began his fast on June 28 at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. He is protesting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET, and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Organizers supporting his protest say he has lost approximately 8.25 kilograms since starting the fast and is suffering from severe weakness, muscle loss, dizziness, and repeated episodes of low blood sugar.

The petition argues that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, the state has a constitutional responsibility to protect a citizen's life and health. It contends that allowing Wangchuk's health to deteriorate without intervention would amount to a...