'Lost faith in Safdarjung Hospital': Sonam Wangchuk's wife moves Delhi HC over transfer plea

A day after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police from his hunger strike site at Jantar Mantar, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo on Sunday said she had "lost faith" in the Safdarjung Hospital and moved the Delhi High Court seeking permission to shift him to a private medical facility.

In a statement issued on X, she alleged discrepancies in the hospital's assessment of Wangchuk's condition, claiming doctors informed the family that his potassium level had fallen to 2.9, describing it as "alarming and life-threatening", but omitted the figure in its public health bulletin by only mentioning "decreasing potassium levels". She further claimed that an independent laboratory test showed his potassium level at 3.5, which she said was within the normal range.

Also read: Sonam Wangchuk calls July 20 march 'India's second freedom movement' in message from hospital detention




She also alleged that despite repeated requests, the hospital authorities had refused to discharge Wangchuk or permit his transfer to a private hospital. Claiming that nearly 30 police personnel were stationed on their hospital floor and over 100 across the premises, she said their movement was being restricted. "It is not medical care. It is illegal detention," Angmo alleged.

Warning that the authorities would be responsible if Wangchuk's condition worsened, she said she had approached the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent hearing to allow his transfer before his health deteriorates further. "No family should have to fight the system simply to choose where their loved one receives medical care," she said.

"Lack of transparency making us suspicious..."

Earlier on Saturday, Safdarjung Hospital claimed that Wangchuk's potassium level fell drastically from the normal range, inviting allegations on not allowing his wife to get a second opinion at another lab nor allowing her to take his blood sample in her presence.

In an X post, Angmo said that the hospital has claimed that the potassium level of Wangchuk has dropped from 4.3 (allegedly recorded on Friday) to 2.9. She further noted that she has been awaiting the hospital's response for 2 hours after asking for Wangchuk's immediate discharge, adding that the lack of transparency is suspicious.

"Safdarjung Hospital's report says @Wangchuk66's potassium level is 2.9, whereas just yesterday it was 4.3. They are not allowing me to either get a second opinion by taking him to another lab, nor are they giving me his blood sample in my presence, which I can get tested elsewhere. I have been waiting for 3 hours, but they haven't obliged us yet. This lack of transparency is making us suspicious, and we have asked to be discharged immediately so that we can go to a hospital that we are comfortable with. We have been awaiting their response for the last 2 hours," she said.