Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar early on Saturday after completing 20 days on an indefinite hunger strike, with Delhi Police saying the move was carried out in compliance with a Delhi High Court direction and on the advice of medical experts.
The hospitalisation comes just two days before Wangchuk and his supporters were scheduled to march to Parliament on July 20. Police maintained that the transfer was necessary because of his deteriorating health, while activists at the protest site opposed the move.
Wangchuk was admitted to the emergency department of Safdarjung Hospital after being shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site. News agency ANI mentioned sources as saying that he was conscious and his vital parameters were stable at the time of admission.
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Delhi Police say transfer followed court directions
In a post on X, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said Wangchuk was taken to hospital “as per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition” of the activist.
The officer said some protesters tried to obstruct the exercise, leading to a brief commotion.
“Police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest,” the post said.
A large deployment of Delhi Police personnel was seen at the protest site after Wangchuk was taken away.
#WATCH | DCP New Delhi, Sachin Sharma says, “In compliance with the Honorable High Court’s order, and based on health conditions and medical advice, Mr Sonam Wangchuk has been moved from here to an appropriate government hospital for much-needed medical intervention and is… https://t.co/uWMVZOykIH pic.twitter.com/RZbVUvtZZb
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026
CJP leader alleges force was used during hospital transfer
Abhijeet Dipke, founding president of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), alleged that Delhi Police forcibly removed Wangchuk from the protest site early on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters, Dipke claimed police personnel “dragged” the activist despite his 20-day hunger strike and alleged that he was also assaulted while trying to reach Jantar Mantar. He accused the police of using excessive force and levelled political allegations against them.
#WATCH | Delhi: Founding President of the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke says, “At 7 AM, when I stepped out to freshen up, police goons arrived here. They dragged Sonam Sir away while hurling abuse at him. A 60-year-old man, who had been on a hunger strike for 20 days and… pic.twitter.com/Z21kIV68sd
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026
Health under daily monitoring
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court directed that Wangchuk’s medical condition be monitored daily during his hunger strike. The court observed that “the life of every citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same.”
The Bench also directed that any medical intervention considered necessary by government doctors should be provided.
The directions were issued by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia while disposing of a public interest litigation over Wangchuk’s declining health.
Doctors monitoring Wangchuk had described his condition as an emergency on Friday and expressed concern over the risk of organ failure.
According to Dr Satish Lamba of the Delhi Medical Association, Wangchuk weighed 56.55 kg on Friday after losing 350 grams in the previous 24 hours. His blood pressure was recorded at 108/68, blood sugar at 70 mg/dL and pulse rate at 72 beats per minute.
Daily medical updates had also indicated that the 59-year-old activist had lost more than eight kilograms since beginning his indefinite fast.
Opposition leaders visit protest site
Several Opposition leaders met Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar on Friday to express solidarity and enquire about his health.
Those who visited included Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, Congress leader Pawan Khera and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray.
Aaditya Thackeray criticised the Centre over its response to the hunger strike, calling it the “most insensitive government” and alleging that Wangchuk’s demands had been ignored.
AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan also urged the Centre to open talks with Wangchuk and consider his demands.
Protest linked to NEET controversy
Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, launched the hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
The protest at Jantar Mantar has been organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), whose supporters have also announced a march to Parliament on July 20.