Ladakh, Jan 31 : Activist scientist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently detained at Jodhpur Central Jail under the National Security Act (NSA), was taken to AIIMS Jodhpur on Saturday morning after his health reportedly worsened, according to police sources.
Wangchuk was brought to the hospital under heavy security around 6:30 am and entered through the rear gate. He initially underwent assessment at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department before being examined at the outpatient section. Doctors later referred him to a gastroenterologist in the emergency department. After nearly 90 minutes at the hospital, he was returned to jail.
Medical sources said Wangchuk has been experiencing persistent stomach related ailments along with body pain. Officials suspect that poor quality drinking water inside the jail may have contributed to his condition. He had also undergone a medical examination at AIIMS a day earlier.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife, Geetanjali Angmo, has approached the Supreme Court seeking immediate medical relief. In her plea, she alleged that her husband has been suffering from prolonged abdominal pain for several weeks and claimed that specialist doctors were not regularly visiting the jail. She also requested permission for weekly specialist check-ups and the provision of clean drinking water supplied by family members.
Taking cognisance of the matter, the Supreme Court directed the jail authorities to ensure that Wangchuk is examined by a specialist from a government hospital and ordered that a detailed medical report be submitted in a sealed cover by February 2.
In a post on X, Angmo stated that multiple court hearings had exposed procedural lapses and factual inconsistencies in Wangchuk’s detention order. She added that the remaining arguments in the case would be heard on February 2.
Jail officials, however, said that Wangchuk has been examined by prison doctors on 21 occasions so far. He has been lodged at Jodhpur Central Jail since September 26 last year in connection with a case linked to violence in Leh, Ladakh.