New Delhi, 16 July (H.S.): The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Central Government to closely monitor the health of Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in the national capital for the past 19 days. The court observed that every human life is precious and every possible effort should be made to protect it. It also instructed the government to ensure that Wangchuk undergoes daily medical examinations by government doctors.

The observations came during the hearing of a petition concerning Wangchuk's prolonged fast. During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Government, assured the court that Wangchuk's health was being examined every day by a team of doctors and medical specialists. He further informed the bench that the government would take all necessary steps to safeguard his life based on the medical advice of the experts.

The petition was filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini. During an earlier hearing on July 15, Saini had submitted that a human rights activist, while exercising his democratic right to protest, was prepared to sacrifice his life in full public view.

The petition sought directions to the Central Government and the Delhi Government to shift Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital and administer medical treatment, including force-feeding if required. It stated that Wangchuk's health had been deteriorating steadily and that he had lost approximately 8.5 kilograms during the 19-day hunger strike. The plea further claimed that if the fast continued for a few more days, his life could be at imminent risk. It argued that any loss of life under such circumstances would be a matter of shame for the country as well as the international community.

Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike since June 28. He joined a protest organised at Jantar Mantar by the Cockroach Janata Party and has continued his indefinite fast since then. The protest is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in national examinations, including the NEET paper leak and other examination paper leak cases.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar