Sonam Wangchuk Protest: Delhi HC Refuses Urgent Hearing On PIL Challenging Police Action
Delhi High Court declined urgent listing of a PIL challenging the police action of shifting Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site and seeking constitutional protection for protesters
The Delhi High Court on Monday refused urgent listing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a declaration that the Delhi Police acted illegally by removing Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site and shifting him to a hospital.
The PIL was mentioned before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.
Appearing for the petitioner, counsel submitted that the police action in shifting Wangchuk from the protest site to the hospital was illegal and sought an urgent hearing.
"The action of police officials in removing Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site to the hospital was illegal," the counsel argued.
Questioning the urgency, Chief Justice Upadhyaya observed that the declaration sought by the petitioner did not warrant immediate listing.
"That may be declared illegal on Wednesday also. What is so urgent in your matter? You are seeking a declaration that whatever has been done to him is illegal. That declaration may be made day after tomorrow also," the Chief Justice remarked.
The petitioner's counsel responded that the PIL also sought constitutional protection for the protesters participating in the ongoing demonstration.
"The urgency is that we are also seeking constitutional protection for the protesters," counsel submitted.
However, the Division Bench was not persuaded and declined to grant an urgent listing to the PIL.
In a related news, the Court has agreed to hear an appeal filed by Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Dr. Gitanjali Angmo, challenging a Single Judge's refusal to shift him from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital of his choice. The matter has been listed for hearing at 2:30 PM today.
Mentioning the urgency, Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal submitted that the High Court's order dated July 16 had been misconstrued by the authorities. He argued that Wangchuk was forcibly removed from the protest site without prior intimation and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, although the relief sought was only that he be transferred to a hospital of his own choice.
"The order of July 16 has been misinterpreted. He was forcibly picked up without prior intimation from the protest site and taken to a government hospital. We only requested that he be shifted to a hospital of his choice. His autonomy cannot be taken away. That was never the purpose of Your Lordships' order," Sibal submitted. He further contended that Wangchuk was entitled to determine his own medical treatment. "He is entitled to medical attention of his choice. He is not a detainee. There is no offence he is accused of," Sibal argued before the Bench.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28 in support of Cockroach Janta party founding president Abhijit Dipke's appeals for the resignation of the Union Education minister. The protestors who have gathered at Jantar Mantar include politicians and student-led organisations such as SFI and AISF. It is also alleged that the protests are being backed by political parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party, with Arvind Kejriwal recently expressing support.
Bench: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
Mentioning Date: July 20, 2026