New Delhi, July 21: Activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital on Tuesday after the Delhi High Court directed his immediate transfer to the private healthcare facility of his choice.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia ordered the transfer while hearing an appeal filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo. The court also directed Wangchuk to strictly follow the treatment protocol and medical advice prescribed by doctors at Medanta Hospital.

The Bench noted the submission of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, that the government had no objection to Wangchuk being shifted to Medanta.

"We direct that Sonam Wangchuk be shifted immediately to Medanta Hospital," the court said.

The High Court further instructed the Director of Medanta to constitute a team of doctors to supervise Wangchuk's treatment and ensure that all medication is administered in accordance with accepted medical standards. It also directed Wangchuk to comply with the medical team's recommendations.

The order came after the Bench reviewed medical reports and interacted with doctors from AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital and Wangchuk's treating team. The court observed that there was a consensus among medical experts that Wangchuk required continuous hospital monitoring.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Angmo, informed the court that Wangchuk's vital parameters were stable and that he was continuing his indefinite hunger strike while taking oral rehydration. Sibal also referred to a letter written by Wangchuk alleging that he was under police surveillance inside Safdarjung Hospital and had been denied access to his mobile phone.

The Bench said the concerns raised in Wangchuk's letter also deserved consideration while balancing them against the unanimous medical opinion that he should remain under constant medical supervision.

Solicitor General Mehta reiterated that the Centre had no objection to Wangchuk's transfer, describing Medanta as a reputed hospital. However, he stressed that Wangchuk should remain under continuous medical supervision and should not leave the hospital against medical advice. He submitted that any decision regarding his discharge should be taken solely by the treating doctors at Medanta.

Accepting the submission, the court directed that all medical records, investigation reports and treatment documents prepared at Safdarjung Hospital be handed over to Medanta to ensure continuity of care.

With these directions, the Division Bench disposed of the appeal challenging a Single Judge's order that had earlier refused permission to shift Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital.

Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, protesting alleged examination irregularities and the NEET-UG paper leak. He was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday morning.