Did Sonam Wangchuk face harassment at Safdarjung? Activist alleges ordeal, hospital issues clarification

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that he was harassed while leaving Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital before being shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, sharing a video in which he is seen confronting security personnel and accusing authorities of preventing him from exiting the premises.

Safdarjung Hospital, however, has rejected the allegation, saying the incident took place before it received the Delhi High Court's written order permitting his transfer.

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The video, uploaded on Wangchuk's YouTube channel late Friday, shows the activist arguing with hospital security staff while preparing to leave Safdarjung Hospital. In the footage, he is heard telling officials that they should either arrest him or allow him to leave.

"You are harassing me... If I die of stress, it will be your responsibility," Wangchuk says in the video. In another exchange, he adds, "Arrest me if you want, but I am leaving."

Hospital says video predates written court order

Responding to the allegations, Safdarjung Hospital said the video was "purportedly recorded" by Wangchuk's associates inside the hospital on July 21 in a designated no-videography zone but was released only on Friday.

According to the hospital, the incident occurred before its administration had received the Delhi High Court's written order approving Wangchuk's transfer to Medanta Hospital.

"The video was reportedly recorded before the hospital administration received the written order of the high court. At that time, Mr Wangchuk insisted on leaving the hospital based on information available in the media," the hospital said.

"It is pertinent to note that Mr Wangchuk was handed over to the team of doctors from Medanta Gurugram on the same day at 6:40 pm, immediately after the written order was received by the hospital," it added.

Wangchuk was shifted to Medanta Hospital on July 21 following the Delhi High Court's direction.

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Hunger strike ended after government assurances

Delhi Police had on July 18 removed Wangchuk from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site at Jantar Mantar, where he had been on a hunger strike since June 28 in support of the party's demands, including accountability for alleged examination paper leaks and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He was subsequently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital.

The activist ended his hunger strike late on Thursday night at Medanta Hospital in the presence of his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, and Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

Wangchuk later said he had decided to call off the fast after receiving assurances from the government and Members of Parliament across party lines on his key demands related to examination reforms and the protection of peaceful protesters.