Sonam Wangchuk Alleges Harassment at Safdarjung Hospital Before Transfer to Medanta
Activist releases video claiming he was stopped from leaving the hospital, while Safdarjung authorities say the footage was recorded before they received the Delhi High Court's written transfer order.
New Delhi, July 25: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that he faced harassment while attempting to leave Safdarjung Hospital before his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, releasing a video that captures a tense exchange with hospital security personnel. The hospital administration, however, has maintained that the incident occurred before it received the Delhi High Court’s written order permitting his transfer.
The video, uploaded on YouTube late Friday night, documents Wangchuk’s account of the events surrounding his discharge from Safdarjung Hospital. In the footage, he is seen arguing with a security official, claiming he was being prevented from leaving despite the court’s decision allowing his transfer.
During the exchange, Wangchuk accuses the authorities of causing unnecessary mental stress and says they should either detain him or permit him to leave the premises. He can be heard saying that if the stress affected his health, the responsibility would lie with those stopping him. In another portion of the video, the activist insists that he would leave the hospital even if it meant being arrested.
Wangchuk had been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, after Delhi Police shifted him from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site at Jantar Mantar, where he had been observing a hunger strike since June 28. His protest sought accountability over alleged examination paper leaks, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Following intervention by the Delhi High Court, Wangchuk was transferred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on July 21 for further medical care.
Responding to the allegations, Safdarjung Hospital clarified that the video was recorded in a designated no-videography zone before the hospital administration had received the official written order from the High Court. According to the hospital, Wangchuk sought to leave based on media reports about the court’s decision, but hospital authorities were required to wait for the formal order before processing the transfer.
Hospital officials stated that immediately after receiving the written direction from the court, Wangchuk was handed over to the medical team from Medanta Hospital at approximately 6:40 pm on the same day, in accordance with the legal procedure.
The controversy surfaced a day after Wangchuk formally ended his nearly month-long hunger strike at Medanta Hospital. His fast concluded late Thursday night in the presence of his wife Gitanjali Angmo and Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh.
Announcing the end of his protest, Wangchuk said he had received assurances from the Union government as well as Members of Parliament across party lines regarding his principal demands, including comprehensive examination reforms and safeguards for peaceful protesters.
While the activist has described his experience at Safdarjung Hospital as distressing, the hospital administration has rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing, asserting that all actions taken during the transfer process were in compliance with court directives and established procedures. The episode has drawn renewed attention to the handling of high-profile protesters under medical supervision and the importance of following judicial orders during such transfers.
