Sonam Wangchuk: The health condition of activist Sonam Wangchuk took center stage on Tuesday, drawing judicial intervention and a late-night hospital visit from two senior Union Ministers, as the fallout from the NEET-UG protests continued to widen.
Delhi High Court Orders Transfer
The Delhi High Court, acting on a plea filed by Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo, directed his immediate transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia accepted the plea seeking access to advanced medical facilities. Safdarjung Hospital confirmed Wangchuk was discharged at 6:40 pm and handed over to the Medanta team, noting that while his vital parameters were stable at the time, pancytopenia persisted.
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Admitted to ICU Under Tight Security
Wangchuk arrived at Medanta in an ambulance around 7:30 pm under heavy security and was admitted to ICU 8 under the supervision of Dr Sushila Kataria, an internal medicine specialist. Security around the hospital was significantly tightened, with a Vajra anti-riot vehicle stationed on the premises and strict identification checks in place. Despite the transfer, Wangchuk has continued his fast, now in its fourth week, in solidarity with students allegedly injured during Monday’s police action.
Nadda and Jitendra Singh Visit the Hospital
Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State for the PMO Jitendra Singh visited Wangchuk at Medanta on Tuesday night, spending over an hour enquiring about his health. Sources said the ministers also briefed him on the government’s readiness to hold a Parliament debate on the NEET paper leak issue and assured him that steps toward broader educational reforms were being considered.
Protests Continue at Jantar Mantar
Even as Wangchuk remained hospitalised, more than 5,000 protesters returned to Jantar Mantar to resume the agitation, a day after violent clashes during the Sansad Chalo march. Organisers said the protest would continue indefinitely, though further marches toward Parliament have been suspended for now.
