The late-night visit of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh to activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram represents a significant development in the ongoing political tensions surrounding national examinations. This direct outreach from the central government followed a critical ruling by the Delhi High Court that mandated Wangchuk's immediate transfer from Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital to the specialized private facility in Haryana. The activist has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, protesting against the controversial NEET paper leak. This examination crisis has sparked massive demonstrations across the nation, spanning from the streets of the capital to the chambers of Parliament.
Protests Intensify Over Examination Paper Leaks
The political atmosphere in New Delhi remains highly charged, with opposition groups and student organisations demanding accountability over the NEET entrance exam irregularities. At Jantar Mantar, the CJP protest has drawn continuous crowd participation, while opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, staged a joint demonstration in front of Parliament to press their demands. Amidst this intense public pressure, Sonam Wangchuk's health began to decline during his hunger strike, which led to his initial admission to the state-run Safdarjung Hospital. The subsequent decision to shift him to a private healthcare facility came after his family expressed deep concerns over his medical progress.
High Court Intervention and Fundamental Rights
The transition to Medanta Hospital was facilitated by a legal intervention initiated by Wangchuk's wife, Geetanjali Angmo. She approached the Delhi High Court with a petition seeking her husband's transfer to the Gurugram-based private hospital to ensure he received specialized attention. In its judgment, the High Court observed that allowing an individual to receive treatment at a medical institution of their choice falls within the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. The court consequently ordered that a dedicated team of specialists closely monitor his critical health parameters.
Transfer Process, Medical Status, and Security Measures
Following the judicial directive, Safdarjung Hospital authorities officially discharged Wangchuk at 6:40 PM on Tuesday. The hospital administration confirmed that all relevant medical history, diagnostic charts, and treatment logs were handed over to the incoming Medanta medical team. Transported in an ambulance under a heavy security detail, Wangchuk arrived at the Gurugram facility around 7:30 PM and was immediately admitted to ICU 8. Due to the high-profile nature of the patient, local police authorities have deployed significant forces around the hospital perimeter.
At Medanta, a medical team led by internal medicine specialist Dr. Sushila Kataria has taken charge of his treatment. Clinical reports from his discharge indicated that while his general vitals remained stable, he continues to experience pancytopenia, a condition marked by a drop in blood cell counts. Furthermore, his serum potassium level was recorded at 3.4 mEq/L at the time of transfer, necessitating precise clinical management and monitoring in the intensive care unit.
