Sonam Wangchuk shifted to Medanta Hospital after Delhi HC order on day 24 of hunger strike
Synopsis
On his 24th day without food, Sonam Wangchuk was moved from Safdarjung to Medanta Hospital under a Delhi High Court order — but his wife confirmed he will not end his fast until Parliament addresses the alleged police brutality against students during the 'Sansad Chalo' march. With pancytopenia now documented, the medical stakes are rising as fast as the political pressure.
Key Takeaways
Sonam Wangchuk was transferred from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, Gurugram on Tuesday evening, 21 July , on day 24 of his hunger strike.
The transfer followed an order by a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya .
His vital parameters were stable at discharge, but pancytopenia persists and serum potassium was recorded at 3.4 mEq/L .
His wife Gitanjali J.
Angmo confirmed Wangchuk will continue his fast until Parliament takes cognisance of alleged police brutality during the 'Sansad Chalo' march.
Medical experts from AIIMS , Safdarjung, and his personal physicians agreed that continuous observation is warranted.
Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, now on the 24th day of his hunger strike, was transferred on Tuesday evening from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, following a directive by the Delhi High Court. The transfer marks a significant development in a case that has drawn national attention to Ladakh's political demands.
Hospital Discharge and Medical Condition
A health bulletin issued by Safdarjung Hospital confirmed that Wangchuk was discharged at 6:40 pm and handed over to a team of doctors from Medanta Hospital, Gurugram. The bulletin noted that his vital parameters were stable at the time of discharge.
However, the bulletin flagged that pancytopenia persists and that his serum potassium level stood at 3.4 mEq/L. Pancytopenia is a serious condition in which the bone marrow produces deficient quantities of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets — typically triggered by nutritional deficiencies — and can cause severe anaemia, heightened infection risk, and abnormal bleeding.
The hospital added that all relevant medical records, investigation reports, and treatment documents were handed over to the receiving medical team to ensure continuity of care.
What the Delhi High Court Directed
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia of the Delhi High Court ordered that Wangchuk be shifted to the hospital of his choice. 'What we propose to do is get him shifted to the hospital of his choice, that is Medanta. He will be treated by a Medanta doctor. All treatment details at Safdarjung Hospital will be supplied to Medanta immediately, and he will be treated there. A panel of doctors to be formed by the director of Medanta,' the Chief Justice Upadhyaya-led Bench stated.
The court arrived at this decision after examining Wangchuk's medical records and consulting with doctors from AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, and his personal physicians. Medical experts were in broad agreement that his condition required continuous observation.
Why Wangchuk Is Continuing His Agitation
Speaking to reporters after the court's order, Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J. Angmo said he has resolved to continue his hunger strike until Parliament takes cognisance of what she described as the Delhi Police's 'brutal action' against protesters during their 'Sansad Chalo' march.
'Sonam has decided to continue his hunger strike because of the cruelty and ruthlessness with which the students were treated. They were beaten, lathi-charged, and tear gas was used against them. In solidarity with those students, he has extended his hunger strike until Parliament takes cognisance of their demands and they are heard,' Angmo said.
Background and Broader Context
Wangchuk, widely recognised as an innovator and climate advocate from Ladakh, has been at the centre of a sustained agitation pressing for Ladakh's constitutional safeguards and statehood. The 'Sansad Chalo' march was part of this broader campaign. This is not the first time Wangchuk has used a hunger strike as a form of protest — his earlier fast in 2023 similarly drew significant public and political attention to Ladakh's demands. His deteriorating health has now prompted judicial intervention, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
With Wangchuk now under care at Medanta and his resolve to continue the fast unchanged, all eyes turn to Parliament's response in the coming days.
Point of View
Filling a vacuum left by the absence of any visible government outreach. The 'Sansad Chalo' brutality allegation — which Wangchuk's wife named as the immediate trigger for extending the fast — has received far less scrutiny than his health bulletins, and that imbalance deserves correction.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sonam Wangchuk shifted to Medanta Hospital?
Sonam Wangchuk was transferred from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, Gurugram on 21 July following a directive by the Delhi High Court, which ordered that he be moved to the hospital of his choice. The court acted after reviewing his medical records and consulting with doctors from AIIMS, Safdarjung, and his personal physicians.
What is Sonam Wangchuk's current health condition?
At the time of discharge from Safdarjung Hospital, his vital parameters were stable. However, pancytopenia — a condition where the bone marrow produces insufficient blood cells — persists, and his serum potassium level was 3.4 mEq/L, which requires close monitoring.
Why is Sonam Wangchuk on a hunger strike?
Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 24 days as part of an agitation linked to Ladakh's demands for constitutional safeguards and statehood. His wife Gitanjali J. Angmo stated he has extended the fast in solidarity with students who were allegedly beaten, lathi-charged, and tear-gassed during the 'Sansad Chalo' march, and will not stop until Parliament takes cognisance of those events.
What did the Delhi High Court say about Wangchuk's treatment?
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed that Wangchuk be shifted to Medanta, that all treatment records from Safdarjung be immediately shared with Medanta, and that a panel of doctors be formed by the Medanta director to oversee his care.
What is pancytopenia and why is it serious for Wangchuk?
Pancytopenia is a medical condition in which the bone marrow produces fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets than normal, typically due to nutritional deficiencies. It can cause severe anaemia, increased vulnerability to infections, and abnormal bleeding — risks that are compounded with each additional day of fasting.
