Delhi High Court Demands Urgent Government Response on Sonam Wangchuk's Health
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the central and Delhi governments to respond by Thursday to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking immediate medical intervention for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued the directive, citing the urgency of the matter. The petition was filed by advocate and social activist Rakesh Kumar Saini, who argued that Wangchuk's health had severely deteriorated after days of fasting and that the authorities must take steps to protect his life.
The plea cited a news report from July 14 indicating that a fasting student had been hospitalised and that Wangchuk had lost 8.25 kg since beginning his strike. The hunger strike is being held in support of the Cockroach Janta Party's demands, which include reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The petition warned that the government's inaction could amount to abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. It urged the court to direct the authorities to provide proper medical attention, even if necessary through force-feeding at a government hospital.
