Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; New Delhi, July 25: The authorities of Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday clarified their position regarding the viral video involving environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk. The hospital administration stated that the video circulating on social media was recorded before the written order of the Delhi High Court reached the hospital authorities.

The statement issued by Safdarjung Hospital, the video was recorded on July 21 in an area inside the hospital premises where recording videos was prohibited. The hospital authorities alleged that the video was filmed by Wangchuk’s associates and was later released publicly.

The hospital administration further stated that at the time when the video was recorded, the written directions issued by the Delhi High Court had not yet reached them. The authorities maintained that all necessary procedures were followed after receiving the court’s written order.

The hospital’s statement, the written order of the Delhi High Court was received on the evening of July 21. After receiving the instructions, the hospital followed the required procedures, and at 6:40 pm on the same day, Sonam Wangchuk was handed over to a medical team from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for further treatment.

The clarification came after a video involving Sonam Wangchuk went viral on social media. In the video, Wangchuk appeared to be prevented from leaving the hospital premises, and he alleged that police authorities had kept him under house arrest-like conditions.

Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, raised several questions regarding the situation through posts on social media platform X. She alleged that police personnel had been deployed at the main gate, reception area and outside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Medanta Hospital, and that they were deciding who could meet Wangchuk and who could not.

Gitanjali Angmo questioned the basis on which police authorities were controlling visitors when the court had clearly stated that Wangchuk was not in custody. She argued that if the court had confirmed that he was not under detention, there should be no restrictions on people meeting him.

She further stated that in a democratic system, the role of the police is to ensure the safety of citizens and uphold the rule of law, not to control citizens on behalf of those in power. According to her, these issues should be considered seriously by every Indian citizen.

The controversy surrounding Sonam Wangchuk’s hospital stay and the viral video has led to a wider debate over individual rights, police responsibilities and the implementation of court directions. While Safdarjung Hospital has defended its actions and provided its explanation regarding the timing of the video, questions raised by Wangchuk’s family continue to attract public attention.

The matter has now become a subject of political and public discussion, with different sides presenting their views on the circumstances surrounding Wangchuk’s treatment, movement and the role of authorities involved.