HighLights
  1. Delhi HC to hear PIL on Sonam Wangchuk's health.
  2. Plea seeks force-feeding, medical aid for activist.
  3. Wangchuk on hunger strike over NEET irregularities.

Jagran Correspondent, New Delhi: The spark of activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike reached the Delhi High Court after the judges agreed to hear a PIL (public interest litigation). The Delhi High Court said it will hear the PIL on Thursday, raising concern over the health of the activist, who is on an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar.

Wangchuk, who joined the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, has been on hunger strike since June 28, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

PIL Seeks Direction To Force-Feed Wangchuk

The public interest litigation sought the court's immediate intervention and the provision of medical assistance to Wangchuk. The PIL was filed by social activist and lawyer Rakesh Saini. In his petition, Saini urged the court to direct the Central and Delhi governments to take Wangchuk to a hospital and force-feed him. In his PIL, Saini also sought direction to the authorities to come to Wangchuk's aid and "discuss the issue" with him.

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According to the petition, Wangchuk's condition is deteriorating, and he has lost approximately 8.5 kilograms of weight due to his hunger strike. If he continues his hunger strike, he may lose his life.

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A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia on Wednesday deferred hearing on the PIL after noting that none appeared for the authorities amid the ongoing work abstention called by the high court''s bar association.

Notice To Centre, Delhi Government

"Having regard to urgency, list tomorrow," the bench said. The court ordered that a copy of the order be served to the Additional Solicitor General concerned and the Delhi government counsel.

Saini said the situation was "sad" and "most unfortunate" as a protesting citizen was "virtually taking his life in front of the whole nation."

(With PTI/Jagran.com Inputs)

 


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