Delhi HC orders daily medical monitoring of Sonam Wangchuk on Day 19 of fast
Synopsis
On the 19th day of Sonam Wangchuk's fast-unto-death over the NEET paper leak controversy, the Delhi High Court stepped in — not to halt the protest, but to ensure the government keeps him alive. With an alleged 8.5 kg weight loss and no sign of relenting, the case now tests whether a court-recorded assurance translates into real medical accountability.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court on 16 July directed daily clinical monitoring of Sonam Wangchuk , whose fast-unto-death entered its 19th day .
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia disposed of the PIL after recording the government's assurance.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that government doctors are already monitoring Wangchuk and will intervene as medically required.
The PIL claimed Wangchuk had lost approximately 8.5 kg and warned his fast could prove fatal without intervention.
Wangchuk began his fast on 28 June demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak .
The Delhi High Court on Thursday, 16 July directed the Centre and the Delhi government to ensure daily clinical monitoring of climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk, whose fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar had entered its 19th day. The court also directed that all necessary medical intervention be undertaken should his health deteriorate further.
What the Court Directed
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the direction while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought urgent medical intervention for Wangchuk. Disposing of the petition, the bench observed: 'Life of any citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same.'
The court orally remarked that it wanted Wangchuk examined regularly by government doctors and that any medication required on the basis of medical opinion should be administered without delay.
What the Government Said
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for both the Centre and the Delhi government, submitted that Wangchuk's health was already being monitored by government doctors and medical experts. He assured the court on instructions: 'The health condition of Wangchuk shall be regularly monitored on a daily basis by government doctors. Depending on the opinion of the doctors, whatever medical intervention is needed to check the deteriorating health condition of Wangchuk shall also be taken.'
The High Court disposed of the PIL after recording this assurance.
The PIL and Its Claims
The petition, filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, sought directions to shift Wangchuk to a government hospital and administer necessary treatment — including force-feeding through a liquid diet containing essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The plea claimed Wangchuk had lost approximately 8.5 kg during the fast and warned that continuation could prove fatal. It further alleged that authorities had failed to provide adequate medical care despite his worsening condition.
Background: Why Wangchuk Is Fasting
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) launched a movement at Jantar Mantar on 20 June demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy. Wangchuk supported the campaign from the outset and announced he would begin an indefinite hunger strike if the Centre failed to respond positively by 27 June. Receiving no response, he commenced his fast on 28 June.
Wangchuk has been fasting in solidarity with Dipke, who is staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar seeking Pradhan's resignation over the examination paper leak. Appeals from multiple quarters urging Wangchuk to end his fast have so far gone unheeded.
What Happens Next
With the PIL disposed of on the government's assurance, the onus now rests on state and central health authorities to demonstrate daily, documented medical oversight. Whether Wangchuk's condition stabilises — or whether fresh legal action follows — will depend on how rigorously that assurance is implemented in the coming days.
Point of View
Publicly verifiable process or a bureaucratic formality. If Wangchuk's health deteriorates further, the court's decision to rely on assurances rather than a supervised mechanism will face sharp scrutiny.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sonam Wangchuk on a fast-unto-death?
Sonam Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on 28 June, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy. He had warned the Centre that he would fast if no positive response came by 27 June, and commenced after receiving none.
What did the Delhi High Court order regarding Wangchuk?
The Delhi High Court directed the Centre and the Delhi government to ensure daily clinical monitoring of Wangchuk's health and to undertake all necessary medical intervention if his condition deteriorates. The court disposed of a PIL on this issue after recording the government's assurance.
How serious is Sonam Wangchuk's health condition?
According to the PIL filed before the Delhi High Court, Wangchuk had lost approximately 8.5 kg during the fast by Day 19, and the petitioner warned that continuation of the hunger strike could prove fatal. The government stated that medical monitoring was already under way.
What did the PIL seek for Sonam Wangchuk?
The PIL, filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, sought directions to shift Wangchuk to a government hospital and administer treatment including force-feeding through a liquid diet with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The court disposed of the petition after the government gave assurances of daily monitoring.
What is the Cockroach Janta Party's role in the protest?
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) launched the protest movement at Jantar Mantar on 20 June, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak. Wangchuk joined the campaign from the outset and later escalated his participation to a fast-unto-death.
