‘Citizen Has Right To Choose Doctor’: Sonam Wangchuk’s Wife Gitanjali Angmo After Delhi HC Clears Shift to Medanta (Video)

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, July 21, proposed shifting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital after hearing submissions from doctors and both sides. While the court indicated that Wangchuk could be moved to the private hospital, it said a formal written order would be issued later in the day.

The proposal came during the hearing of an appeal filed by Wangchuk's wife, Dr Gitanjali Angmo, who had challenged a single-judge order refusing interim relief to shift the activist to a hospital of his choice. Speaking after the hearing, Angmo welcomed the court's decision and reiterated that citizens have the right to choose their doctor and treatment.

Delhi HC Clears Sonam Wangchuk's Shift To Medanta, Wife Says 'Citizen Has Right To Choose Doctor'

#WATCH | Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Gitanjali Angmo, says, "I thank Delhi High Court for favourably disposing of this matter. In India, a democratic citizen has the right to choose his choice of doctor and hospital and treatment. Here, we had trust deficit because of the… pic.twitter.com/CfhhCkZJYM

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026

'Citizen Has Right To Choose Doctor'

“I thank the Delhi High Court for favourably disposing of this matter. In India, a democratic citizen has the right to choose his choice of doctor and hospital and treatment," Angmo said.

She said the family had developed a "trust deficit" because of the manner in which Wangchuk was brought to Safdarjung Hospital. According to Angmo, his hospitalisation was unnecessary as his health could have been monitored at Jantar Mantar.

'It Was Like a Detention'

Angmo alleged that Wangchuk's stay at Safdarjung Hospital amounted to detention and restricted his interaction with people outside.

“It was like a detention so that he cannot get in contact with people outside. His health parameters are not life-threatening. We are more worried about his health than the govt," she said.

She also said Wangchuk had decided to continue his fast in solidarity with students who were allegedly beaten during protests a day earlier.

Allegations Over Access to Wangchuk

Angmo claimed that several Members of Parliament who visited Safdarjung Hospital were not allowed to meet Wangchuk.

She further alleged that Dr Lamba and Dr Dighe, who had been treating Wangchuk for the past 20 days, informed the court that even the doctor responsible for his treatment was not being allowed to meet him.

“Dr Lamba and Dr Dighe, who were treating him for the past 20 days, told the court today that even the doctor giving treatment was not being allowed to meet the patient. We felt detention and captivity in that hospital."

According to Angmo, the family would shift Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital after receiving the High Court's written order. “After lunch, a written order will be given, then we will shift him to Medanta."

During the hearing, the Delhi High Court considered submissions from doctors as well as both parties before indicating that Wangchuk could be shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital. The court said its detailed written order would be issued later in the day, after which the transfer process could proceed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2026 04:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).