NEW DELHI: Gitanjali Angmo, activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Monday moved the Delhi high court again, challenging single bench order that declined her plea to shift Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital of his choice.In the appeal, Angmo has contended that the Single Judge’s order effectively deprives Wangchuk and his family of the right to decide his medical treatment and place of treatment. The appeal also argues that the order overlooks the principles of informed consent, bodily autonomy under Article 21, and unlawfully confines Wangchuk to the government hospital despite there being no order of arrest or detention against him, reported news agency ANI. The appeal further claims that Wangchuk’s continued stay at Safdarjung Hospital violates his fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21, including his right to continue his protest, and relies on Supreme Court judgments on informed consent and patients’ autonomy. According to the legal team, senior counsel will mention the appeal before the Division Bench today, seeking urgent listing and hearing.Meanwhile, Wangchuk said he would end his indefinite hunger strike on July 20 if the Centre takes responsibility for alleged failures in the education system, or if political leaders assure him that the issues will be raised in Parliament.In a message posted on X from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, where he has been admitted after being shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site, Wangchuk listed three conditions under which he would call off his fast. He described the hospital stay as an “illegal detention”.“I will end my fast on 20th July if: a. If the govt takes accountability of the recent failures in Education system, Paper leaks etc. If I and the leadership of CJP reach the doorsteps of Parliament where MPs and leaders of various parties assure us that they will now take up the issue in the Parliament,” he wrote. The letter further read: “If my health or other factors do not permit this then the MPs and leaders of different parties visit this Hospital and give give the the above assurance …From the illegal detentions at Safdarjung Hospital, where my freedom of movement, speech and communication are restricted.” While the battle on the legal front continues, the Cockroach Janata Party members gear up for the proposed ‘Chalo Sansad’ march to Parliament despite Delhi Police denying permission for the rally. Security personnel were deployed outside Jantar Mantar and around Parliament house ahead of the first day of the Monsoon Session. Police personnel maintained a vigil at the protest site amid expectations of large crowds.
