The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed that the health condition of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for the past 17–18 days, be clinically monitored on a daily basis by government doctors, while recording the Union Government’s assurance that timely medical intervention would be provided if his condition deteriorates.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Rakesh Kumar Saini, expressing concern over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union of India and the GNCTD, informed the Court that government doctors were already conducting health check-ups whenever Wangchuk permitted them to do so. When the Bench asked whether the medical reports were available, the Solicitor General replied:
“
“Whenever he has permitted the government doctor to do that, I think we would be having.”
The Court, however, made it clear that Wangchuk’s health should continue to be monitored by government doctors and observed:
“
“We would like this person to be regularly medically checked up by government doctors. Life is precious. Life of any citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the citizen.”
The Solicitor General raised no objection and assured the Court that the authorities would intervene whenever medically necessary. Recording the Solicitor General’s assurance, the Court noted that Wangchuk’s health shall be regularly monitored on a daily basis by government doctors and, depending on the opinion of the doctors, whatever medical intervention is required to check his deteriorating health condition shall also be taken.