Guwahati: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre and the Delhi government to respond by Thursday to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent medical intervention for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notice to both governments, observing that the matter required immediate attention due to its urgency.
The petition was filed by advocate and social activist Rakesh Kumar Saini, who expressed concern over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health after more than two weeks of fasting. He urged the authorities to ensure that the activist receives timely medical care to safeguard his life.
In support of his plea, Saini referred to a The Hindu report published on July 14, which stated that Wangchuk had lost 8.25 kg during the ongoing protest and that a student participating in the fast had been hospitalised.
Wangchuk has been observing an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s demands for reforms in the country’s education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The petitioner argued that allowing the hunger strike to continue without medical intervention could amount to a failure of the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect life. He further contended that inaction could attract provisions related to the offence of abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Saini urged the court to direct the authorities to shift Wangchuk to a government hospital and provide necessary medical treatment. He also sought directions for administering essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals through a liquid diet, if required, to prevent any further deterioration in the activist’s health.