Activist Wangchuk's wife moves Delhi HC again for transfer to private hospital
The wife of activist Wangchuk has filed a fresh petition in the Delhi High Court seeking his transfer from a government hospital to a private medical facility, citing inadequate healthcare. The plea, filed on Wednesday, argues that the activist's health is deteriorating and that the state hospital lacks necessary equipment and specialist doctors to treat his condition.
Wangchuk was arrested in July in connection with a protest and has been in judicial custody since. His wife, Tashi Dolkar, had previously filed a similar plea in August, which was disposed of after the court directed the jail authorities to ensure proper medical care. However, she now claims that the treatment provided has been insufficient, leading to complications.
The petition states that Wangchuk suffers from a chronic respiratory ailment and requires round-the-clock monitoring, which the current facility cannot provide. It requests the court to order his admission to a private hospital at the family's expense, or alternatively, to have a panel of doctors assess his condition.
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the matter on Friday. The government's counsel has opposed the plea, stating that the activist is receiving standard care and that shifting him would be a security risk. The court may seek a fresh medical report from the hospital and the jail authorities.
This is the second time the wife has approached the court on this issue. Earlier, in September, the court had directed the hospital to constitute a special medical board to evaluate Wangchuk's health. The board had recommended continued treatment at the government hospital, but the wife alleges that the recommendation was based on incomplete information.
The case has drawn attention from human rights organisations, which have called for independent medical evaluation. The authorities have maintained that all necessary measures are being taken.
