'Want Doctors To Do Regular Checkups': Court Tells Centre On Plea Seeking Medical Aid For Sonam Wangchuk
'Want Doctors To Do Regular Checkups': Court Tells Centre On Plea Seeking Medical Aid For Sonam Wangchuk Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 11:31
'Want Doctors To Do Regular Checkups': Court Tells Centre On Plea Seeking Medical Aid For Sonam Wangchuk Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 11:31 IST The Delhi High Court directed the Centre to conduct daily medical checkups of activist Sonam Wangchuk, observing that every life is precious. Rapid Read Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk during a protest (Photo: PTI) The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Centre to ensure daily medical monitoring of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, saying that “every life is precious" and government doctors must regularly examine him and provide medical intervention whenever required. Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning Wangchuk’s deteriorating health, a Bench headed by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya sought details from the Centre on the mechanism in place to monitor the activist’s medical condition during his fast. At the outset of the hearing, Chief Justice Upadhyaya asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for both the Centre and the Delhi government, whether there was a system in place to keep track of Wangchuk’s health.
Responding to the court’s query, Mehta said Wangchuk was already undergoing regular health examinations. The Bench, however, said it wanted government doctors to continue monitoring Wangchuk’s health on a daily basis and step in whenever medical intervention became necessary. “We would like this person to be regularly medically checked by government doctors and intervene depending on the report of doctors if any medication is required. Every life is precious," the court observed. Assuring the Bench, Mehta said the government would comply with the court’s observations. “Certainly. If your lordships desire, someone can go again and check up," he said, adding that “whatever medical assistance is required based on the doctor’s report can be given." COURT RECORDS CENTRE’S ASSURANCE ON SONAM WANGCHUK After hearing the submissions, the Bench recorded the Centre’s assurance regarding Wangchuk’s health monitoring. The court noted that the PIL had expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health, stating that he had been on a fast for the last 17-18 days in connection with certain demands and that his condition had reportedly deteriorated. The court further emphasised the importance of safeguarding human life.
The PIL was subsequently disposed of after recording the government’s assurance. The petition had been filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, seeking urgent medical intervention for Wangchuk and directions for force-feeding him to end his hunger strike. The matter was taken up after the court had, on the previous day, termed it urgent and sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi government. The Cockroach Janta Party has been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and has called for a Parliament march on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What is Sonam Wangchuk protesting for? Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, demanding accountability from the government over alleged examination irregularities, specifically concerning the NEET 2026 examination. Will the Centre comply with the court's directive? Yes, the Centre will provide medical intervention to Sonam Wangchuk as directed by the Delhi High Court.
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