Activist's Wife Demands Wangchuk's Transfer From Safdarjang Hospital

Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo has called for his transfer out of Safdarjang hospital to a medical centre chosen by the family, stating there is no transparency or trust at the current facility.

The demand follows Wangchuk’s removal from his protest site at Jantar Mantar after 21 days of hunger strike. Protesters present during the operation described men who identified themselves as doctors before the activist was taken away. The episode has drawn attention in Delhi because Jantar Mantar remains a central location for public demonstrations in the capital.

Impact on Delhi protest sites and daily routines

Residents near Jantar Mantar and along the routes used by police vehicles reported disrupted access on the day of the operation. The site sits close to key government buildings and tourist areas, so any large-scale movement affects commuters and nearby vendors who rely on steady footfall. Local observers note that repeated high-profile actions at the monument can change traffic patterns and security checks for days afterward.

Wangchuk’s case also touches on broader questions about how authorities handle prolonged protests in central Delhi. Families of other demonstrators have watched the developments closely, particularly the rules around medical intervention and consent. Angmo’s statement that no treatment should proceed without family approval has been shared widely among activist circles in the city.

Police leadership change adds to local scrutiny

The hospital transfer occurred during a period of transition at Delhi Police headquarters. Anurag Kumar assumed the role of commissioner after Satish Golcha, returning to the force after two decades with the Intelligence Bureau. The change was described as abrupt by observers at the station.

Delhi residents following the news have linked the timing of the operation to questions about how the new leadership will manage visible protests. Several other stories in the same reporting cycle, including a planned twin-tower secretariat at ITO and digitisation drives by booth-level officers in East Delhi, show the range of civic matters competing for attention this week.

Angmo’s request keeps the focus on medical arrangements and family consent rather than the substance of Wangchuk’s original demands. For now, the immediate practical question for supporters is whether the family will be allowed to select the next hospital and how that decision will be communicated to those still gathered at Jantar Mantar. Updates are being tracked through the Indian Express Delhi section at https://indianexpress.com/section/cities/delhi/.