Safdarjung Hospital Refutes Sonam Wangchuk’s Harassment Claim, Says Video Was Recorded Before Court Order

NEW DELHI, Jul 25: Safdarjung Hospital has rejected activist Sonam Wangchuk’s allegations of harassment during his transfer to Medanta Hospital, stating that the video released by him was recorded before the hospital received the Delhi High Court’s written order permitting his shift. Wangchuk, who shared a YouTube video late Friday night, recounted his experience over the past few days and posted footage showing a confrontation with security personnel at Safdarjung Hospital while attempting to leave for Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. In the video, Wangchuk alleged that he was being prevented from leaving the hospital despite the High Court’s direction. He is heard telling security personnel 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 said in the video. In another clip, he is heard saying, “Arrest me if you want, but I am leaving.” Responding to the allegations, Safdarjung Hospital said the video was “purportedly recorded” by Wangchuk’s associates on July 21 inside a designated no-videography zone and was released only on Friday. According to the hospital administration, the footage was recorded before officials received the Delhi High Court’s written order. At that stage, Wangchuk had insisted on leaving based on media reports regarding the court’s decision. “The video was reportedly recorded before the hospital administration received the written order of the High Court. Mr Wangchuk was handed over to the team of doctors from Medanta Gurugram at 6:40 pm on the same day, immediately after the written order was received,” the hospital said in a statement. Delhi Police had shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site at Jantar Mantar on July 18, where he had been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of demands for accountability in the alleged NEET paper leak case, examination reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Following the Delhi High Court’s direction, Wangchuk was transferred to Medanta Hospital on July 21. He ended his 26-day 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 after receiving written assurances from the Centre on key demands, including examination reforms and protection for peaceful protesters.