Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Jailed activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to AIIMS Jodhpur for a medical examination on Saturday after the Supreme Court sought his medical report by February 2.The 59-year-old former educationist was examined for about 90 minutes before being escorted back to prison. He has reportedly been suffering from stomach-related ailments and had also visited the hospital on Friday for medical tests. Wangchuk has been raising concerns about his deteriorating health in jail for some time. Taking note of his worsening condition, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Jodhpur jail administration to arrange a medical examination by a specialist.The top court is hearing a writ petition filed by his wife, Geetanjali Angmo, challenging his detention under the stringent National Security Act. Wangchuk has been lodged in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur Central Jail since September 27 last year, three days after a protest demanding statehood for his native Ladakh turned violent in Leh, the Union territory’s capital.During Thursday’s hearing, a bench comprising Justices Arvind Kumar and PB Varale instructed jail authorities to ensure that Wangchuk is examined by a specialist doctor—a gastroenterologist—at a government hospital.Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Rajasthan government, informed the bench that jail doctors had examined Wangchuk 21 times over the past four months, with the most recent check-up conducted on January 26.However, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Wangchuk, objected to the submission, stating that his client was suffering from persistent stomach pain, allegedly caused by the quality of water provided in jail.Accepting the argument, the court observed that medical treatment by a specialist must be provided in accordance with the patient’s needs.(With PTI inputs)
