‘Sonam Wangchuk will be treated in Medanta Hospital’: High Court’s big decision on wife’s petition

Jagran correspondent, New Delhi. Amidst all the speculations and concerns regarding the health of Ladakh’s well-known environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, a big and relief news has come out from the Delhi High Court on Tuesday. While hearing the petition related to habeas corpus and treatment filed in the High Court by Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Geetanjali, the court has given its important decision on Tuesday. The court has made it clear in its order that now Sonam Wangchuk can be removed from Safdarjung Hospital and admitted to the prestigious ‘Medanta Hospital’ in Gurugram or Delhi.

The court gave a big suggestion after listening to all the parties.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the court heard the arguments of all the parties in detail. After this the bench clearly suggested that we allow Sonam Wangchuk to be transferred to Medanta Hospital. On this, the Solicitor General (SG), appearing for the Central Government, told the court that if the petitioner’s husband is shifted to Medanta, then the government has no objection to it. However, a condition was laid down by the government that he should not be discharged from the hospital without solid medical advice from any doctor.

The court also directed that all the medical reports and information related to whatever treatment Sonam Wangchuk has received at Safdarjung Hospital till now, will be immediately transferred to Medanta Hospital and her entire further treatment will be conducted there. Apart from this, a special panel of specialist doctors will treat him under the supervision of the Director of Medanta Hospital.

What happened during the court hearing on Tuesday?

During the hearing on the petition demanding transfer of hospital to Sonam Wangchuk, the Chief Justice asked sharp questions to the doctors citing the medical report of senior advocate Akhil Sibal, who appeared on Sonam’s behalf. He asked what does the increased level of urea and uric acid in the report indicate? Is this increase in acid not a sign of some major internal disturbance in the body?

Responding to this, the doctor explained to the court that when a person does not take food or glucose for a long time, the body starts getting the necessary energy from fat. During the process of fat breakdown, ketones start forming in the urine. It is very natural for such physical changes to occur in the body in case of continuous fasting or starvation for several days.

What was the argument between AIIMS director and lawyers?

During the hearing, senior lawyer Akhil Sibal told the court that during this entire hunger strike, two doctors were continuously treating Sonam Wangchuk and giving her necessary advice. At the same time, while presenting his argument, the Central Government’s lawyer said that according to the TLC report, the doctors have described it as a serious condition and have feared that it may cause medical shock to the patient.

After this, the doctor appearing in the court on behalf of AIIMS said that the medical reports clearly show that the WBC level of the patient is very low, which is not normal at all. When the body’s immunity becomes weak, the WBC level also starts falling. Apart from this, his hemoglobin, WBC and platelets are also not in the normal range. AIIMS Director also admitted that the level of potassium is low and medicines are being given to compensate for it, that is, the treatment is going on. He warned that his ability to fight the infection is extremely low at this time, which is why it has been made completely mandatory for everyone visiting him in the hospital to wear a gown, cap and mask.

Lawyers’ arguments and court’s final decision

Sonam Wangchuk’s lawyer Akhil Sibal assured the court that the current situation is that all her vital parameters remain stable. Of course, due to the long fast, there have been fluctuations in some parameters, due to which doctor’s monitoring was suggested. He said that even after changing the hospital, this monitoring can be continued strictly, he has no problem in this.

After hearing the long arguments of both the parties, the court while giving its verdict said that we suggest to shift Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital. After this the SG agreed and said that he had no objection in this, provided the medical rules and doctors’ advice were completely followed.