NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed to immediately shift activist Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital “to ensure his fundamental rights under the Constitution”, as desired by his family. The HC said that moving Wangchuk to a hospital of his choice would protect his fundamental rights.
In the evening, Wangchuk was shifted to Medanta from Safdarjung Hospital in an ambulance under tight security and was admitted to ICU.
Earlier, HC bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia also ordered the constitution of a committee of doctors from Medanta to monitor Wangchuk and provide him medication, saying that he should abide by the order. The bench said Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo would be allowed to visit her husband as and when she desires. The bench made the directions on an appeal filed by Angmo, who argued that her husband was being held at Safdarjung against his will.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the the government had no objection to the shifting of Wangchuk to Medanta. “Only thing is that he may not get a discharge against medical advice. Those who are around him want him out, irrespective of his health.” Mehta said. Continued on P3
Court asks Angmo to cooperate, says ‘concern is health’
The court, however, said, “We will not go into all that.” The bench passed the order after taking into account the opinion of Wangchuk’s doctors.
“Having regard to the submissions made, the opinion expressed by doctors present and the concerns raised by them, we are of the opinion that the husband of the appellant ought to be shifted to a hospital of his choice.
We accordingly direct that the husband of the appellant shall be immediately shifted to Medanta,” the bench said.
The court also directed Angmo to cooperate with the decision. “Please cooperate. Court’s concern is only with his health. Nothing to do with all that is going on,” the bench said.
Injured protester on ventilator support at RML
A 23-year-old female student injured during protest on Monday is on ventilator support at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, sources said on Tuesday. The woman is believed to have suffered asphyxia.