Wangchuk taken to hospital as per HC orders, Delhi Police says; Dipke claims he has been ‘beaten up’, detained

Delhi police has claimed that Sonam Wangchuk was taken to the hospital on Saturday morning 'as per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise', adding that 'maximum restraint' was taken by officials during the process.

They have also asked the protestors gathered at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to vacate the premises at the earliest.

In an X post from the social media handle of DCP New Delhi, the authorities said, "As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care...Police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest."

Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital later issued a statement saying that Wangchuk has been admitted there.

“This is for your kind information that Mr. Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. He is currently being examined by the treating doctors. An official press note will be issued shortly,” the PRO of the hospital said.

Follow live updates from the Jantar Mantar protest site right here!

Dipke contradicts police statement

However, the police's statement was contradicted by Abhijit Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janata Party leading the movement.

Dipke claimed on social media that Delhi Police was 'cracking down' at Jantar Mantar. He also claimed that people gathered there were being beaten up and that Sonam Wangchuk was 'forcefully' taken away.

'Delhi Police is cracking down at Jantar Mantar. Beating up people and taking away Sonam sir forcefully,' Dipke said in a post on X.

"I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police," Dipke said in another X post.

Saurav Das, one of the spokespersons of the CJP, shared a video and said, "The Delhi Police has stopped Abhijeet Dipke where he was staying. People are telling me that Sonam Wangchuk is being picked up from the protest site. Students are being lathicharged!"

Das later shared another post where it can be seen that a number of individuals dressed in white T-shirts and sports shoes rushed the protest site and manhandled prostestors. In the X post, Das claimed, “Delhi Police has picked up Sonam Wangchuk forcefully”

This move came a day after Delhi got its new police commissioner, senior IPS officer Anurag Kumar, who had earlier served as the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau.

He was appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sonam Wangchuk health

Wangchuk has been on a fast for 20 days, and his health has been showing a steady decline. His blood pressure and blood sugar levels were being closely monitored by doctors.

The Delhi High Court had directed that his health should be regularly assessed and appropriate medical intervention should be provided if required, as per ANI.

Wangchuk had said on Friday night that he was determined to continue his fast, and said that he had "lost 20 per cent of my body".

"I have lost 20 per cent of my body. It is time for this government to listen to the voice of the youth," he had said in a video message.