Delhi Police take Sonam Wangchuk to hospital on Day 21 of hunger strike

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jul 18, 2026 09:15 AM IST

Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital. PTI

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for the past 20 days, was taken to Safdarjung Hospital in south Delhi on Saturday morning amid heavy police deployment at the protest site.

The development came a day after Anurag Kumar assumed charge as the Delhi Police Commissioner.

The police action sparked a brief commotion at Jantar Mantar as some supporters attempted to prevent Wangchuk from being taken away. Delhi Police, however, said the move was carried out in compliance with the directions of the Delhi High Court and on expert medical advice, citing the activist’s deteriorating health condition.

#WATCH | Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was sitting on a hunger strike from last 20 days at Jantar Mantar, taken to the hospital by the police.

More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/81DTO3cyh4

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026

Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital in compliance with the directions of the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts, citing his deteriorating health condition.

In a post on X, the Delhi Police Commissioner said, “As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court, the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued. However, police exercised maximum restraint and carried out the exercise safely. We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”

As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care.

While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create…

— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) July 18, 2026

Delhi Police also appealed to the demonstrators to disperse peacefully, saying, “We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”

Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 21st day on Saturday and has drawn support from several civil society groups and activists.

Meanwhile, Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, alleged during an Instagram Live session that he had stepped out to brush at a friend’s residence but was prevented by Delhi Police from leaving. Claiming he had effectively been placed under house arrest, Dipke showed the gate of the housing society locked, with a Delhi Police personnel stationed outside.

Earlier in the day, some protesters alleged on social media that an attempt had been made to attack Wangchuk. However, there was no indication that he had sustained any serious injuries, and no such injury was officially reported.

Further details are awaited.

Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital.

Professional Background

Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance.

Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh).

Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India.

Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life.

Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025)

Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability:

1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation

Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort:

Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025).

The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025).

Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025).

2. Crime & Police Accountability

"Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025).

"Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025).

Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025).

3. Governance & Public Policy

"13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025).

Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025).

Signature Style

Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read More

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