The Delhi High Court had directed daily medical monitoring of Sonam Wangchuk during his fast. Police said worsening health required hospitalisation, while supporters alleged force was used during the operation and claimed activists were detained.
Police personnel clear protesters from Jantar Mantar in New Delhi after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a government hospital on medical advice, a move that sparked allegations of forcible removal by his supporters. | ANI
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from his protest site at Jantar Mantar to a government hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday after concerns over his deteriorating health, setting off protests from supporters who alleged he was removed against his wishes.
The police said the move was carried out in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts. Protesters, however, accused the police of using force and claimed some activists were detained during the operation.
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After 20 days on hunger strike, Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital ahead of Parliament protest
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A heavy police presence was deployed at Jantar Mantar as officers began clearing the protest site after Wangchuk was taken for medical treatment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said Wangchuk’s health had worsened during his hunger strike, making medical intervention necessary.
“As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely,” Sharma said in a post on X.
He also appealed to protesters to leave the site peacefully.
“We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”
Later, speaking to reporters, Sharma said Wangchuk had been moved to “an appropriate government hospital” and remained under medical supervision.
Supporters disputed the police account and alleged Wangchuk was removed without his consent.
One protester claimed plainclothes police personnel entered the protest site early on Saturday morning while posing as a medical team.
According to the protester, volunteers were asked to move aside before police informed them that a High Court order required Wangchuk to be shifted to hospital. The protester also alleged activist Abhijeet Dipke had been detained.
Dipke, founding president of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), later alleged on X that he had been beaten up and detained by Delhi Police.
Speaking to ANI, Dipke accused police personnel of forcibly removing Wangchuk.
“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 hadn’t eaten a thing was forcibly dragged away by the Delhi Police. We have no idea where they have taken him… These aren’t police officers; they are RSS goons,” he alleged.
#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
#WATCH | Delhi: Founding President of the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke, says, “If they think that taking Sonam Sir away will end this movement, they are mistaken. We will remain here, and will march to Parliament on July 20.”
He further said, “Until now, we were… pic.twitter.com/SujcDLPcuQ
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026
Cockroach Janata Party chief spokesperson Saurav Das also claimed on X that Dipke had been stopped by police and alleged students were being lathicharged.
As police removed protesters from Jantar Mantar, students formed a human chain around other activists who remained on hunger strike, including JNU PhD scholar Neha Bora.
Earlier on Friday night, Dipke had also alleged that Wangchuk was attacked at the protest venue.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed that Wangchuk’s health be monitored every day during his hunger strike.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia 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 court directed that any medical intervention recommended by government doctors should be provided.
Wangchuk had completed 20 days of his hunger strike before being shifted to hospital on Saturday morning. His supporters have announced a march to Parliament on July 20.
According to health parameters recorded on Friday, Wangchuk weighed 56.55 kg after losing 350 grams in 24 hours. Dr Satish Lamba of the Delhi Medical Association said his blood pressure was 108/68 mmHg, blood sugar measured 70 mg/dL and pulse rate was 72 per minute.
Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
Several Opposition leaders, including Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, Congress leader Pawan Khera and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, visited Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar on Friday to express solidarity and enquire about his health.
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