'Citizen Has Right To Choose Doctor': Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Gitanjali Angmo After Delhi HC Clears Shift To Medanta

Published 21 July 2026 · local

'Citizen Has Right To Choose Doctor': Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Gitanjali Angmo After Delhi HC Clears Shift To Medanta Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026

'Citizen Has Right To Choose Doctor': Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Gitanjali Angmo After Delhi HC Clears Shift To Medanta Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 15:46 IST Delhi High Court cleared Sonam Wangchuk's shift to Medanta. His wife Gitanjali Angmo alleged detention in Safdarjung Hospital and confirmed he will continue fasting. Sonam Wangchuk with wife Geetanjali Angmo during Jantar Mantar protest. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday proposed shifting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital after hearing submissions from doctors and both sides. The court, however, said it would issue its formal written order later in the day. The proposal came during the hearing of an appeal filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo. She had challenged a single-judge order that refused to grant interim relief allowing the activist to be shifted to a private hospital of his choice. ‘Every citizen has right to choose doctors’ Speaking after the hearing, Angmo welcomed the court’s decision and said every citizen in a democracy has the right to choose their doctor, hospital and treatment. “I thank the Delhi High Court for favourably disposing of this matter.

In India, a democratic citizen has the right to choose his choice of doctor and hospital and treatment," she said. She alleged that the family had developed a trust deficit because of the manner in which Wangchuk was brought to Safdarjung Hospital. According to her, his hospitalisation was unnecessary as his health could have been monitored at Jantar Mantar. ‘It felt like detention’ Angmo claimed Wangchuk’s stay at the hospital amounted to detention and prevented him from interacting with people outside. “It was like a detention so that he cannot get in contact with people outside," she said. She added that his health parameters were not life-threatening and maintained that the family was more concerned about his health than the government. Angmo also said Wangchuk had decided to continue his fast in solidarity with the students who were beaten during the protest a day earlier. Claims over access to Wangchuk Angmo alleged that several Members of Parliament who had visited Safdarjung Hospital were not allowed to meet Wangchuk. She further claimed that Dr Lamba and Dr Dighe, who had been treating Wangchuk for the past 20 days, informed the court that even the doctor responsible for his treatment was not being allowed to meet the patient.

“We felt detention and captivity in that hospital," she said. According to Angmo, the written order from the Delhi High Court was expected after lunch. She said the family would shift Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital once the order was issued. The High Court had earlier indicated that Wangchuk could be shifted to Medanta Hospital after considering submissions made by doctors and both parties. The formal order in the matter was to be passed later in the day. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What happens if Sonam Wangchuk's health worsens at Medanta? The Delhi High Court has proposed shifting Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital. If accepted, all his medical records from Safdarjung Hospital will be transferred to Medanta for seamless treatment. The government has no objection to the move. Could this ruling impact other activist's medical rights? The Delhi High Court has proposed shifting activist Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, stated that every citizen has the right to choose their doctor and hospital. Will Wangchuk continue his fast after shifting hospitals?