Delhi police hospitalize Sonam Wangchuk under court order

Delhi police removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from a protest site and hospitalized him on July 18, 2026, citing a court order and his deteriorating health after a prolonged hunger strike. The action at Jantar Mantar prompted allegations of force from protest organizers and led to police clearing the area.

Wangchuk, a 59-year-old engineer and education reformer from Ladakh, was on the 21st day of an indefinite hunger strike he began on June 28. He was demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in nationwide examinations, including the NEET paper leak controversy. Police stated the intervention was conducted in compliance with a Delhi High Court directive and on expert medical advice due to his worsening condition.

Deputy Commissioner of Police for New Delhi, Sachin Sharma, said Wangchuk was moved to an appropriate government hospital for essential medical care and is under medical supervision. In a statement, police said that while complying with the court's order, some protesters tried to create an obstruction, leading to a slight commotion, but that officers exercised maximum restraint and completed the operation...