New Delhi: The Delhi High Court is set to hear a plea seeking urgent intervention to protect activist Sonam Wangchuk, with the petitioner claiming that he may not survive for more than two days if he continues his indefinite hunger strike, now in its 18th day.
According to media reports, the public interest litigation seeks directions for Wangchuk to be taken to a government hospital and provided essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals through a liquid diet. The plea alleges that the authorities have failed to respond adequately to his deteriorating health.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia deferred the hearing until the following day after noting that no representative appeared for the authorities amid an ongoing work abstention called by the Delhi High Court Bar Association.
The court reportedly said it was entertaining the petition and would require the authorities to seek instructions on the matter. It also directed the registry to communicate the order to the authorities the same day.
The petition was filed by lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini, who claimed that the 59-year-old activist had lost around 8.5 kg during his fast. The plea argued that peaceful protest in a public place is a fundamental democratic right and maintained that authorities should not allow a citizen to die of hunger without intervention.
According to media reports, the petitioner also accused the government of being insensitive to Wangchuk’s condition and argued that failure to act could have serious legal consequences. The plea sought immediate steps to ensure that he receives the nutrition necessary for survival.
Wangchuk has reportedly been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 after joining protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, which describes itself as a political platform of, by and for young people. He is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The Delhi High Court is expected to take up the matter on an urgent basis, with the petitioner’s claims about Wangchuk’s health and the request for medical intervention likely to be central to the hearing.
