State Highhandedness: Delhi Police Forcefully Seize Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Move Him To Hospital Against His Will
NEW DELHI: In a chaotic early morning crackdown, the Delhi Police forcefully evicted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from his protest site at Jantar Mantar, shifting him to Safdarjung Hospital against his will. The high-handed action comes on the 20th day of Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike, sparking intense outrage, severe clashes, and allegations of police brutality.
Breaking | State Highhandedness: Delhi Police Forcefully Seize Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Move Him To Hospital Against His Willhttps://t.co/ZwbWUEzkjI pic.twitter.com/F8x4ykxgjE
— Timeline. (@timelinelatest) July 18, 2026
At approximately 7:00 AM, a massive contingent of Delhi Police personnel in plain clothes stormed the protest site. Onlookers and fellow demonstrators described scenes of absolute pandemonium. Eyewitnesses alleged that the police used brute force to overpower the demonstrators, physically dragging the 60-year-old reformist away while he was in a severely weakened state from nearly three weeks of fasting.
STANDOFF AT JANTAR MANTAR: Students Form Human Chain to Protect Striking AISA Leaders After Sonam Wangchuk’s Forced Removal pic.twitter.com/pEr5SQFEKw
— Timeline. (@timelinelatest) July 18, 2026
Reports immediately emerged of a heavy-handed police response to anyone attempting to resist the eviction. Visuals from the ground capturing the scramble showed chaotic scuffles between uniform-clad officers and protestors, with organisers claiming that students supporting Wangchuk were subjected to a violent lathicharge.
“They Acted Like Goons”
The political fallout was instantaneous. Abhijeet Dipke, Founding President of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who has been actively leading the demonstration and was detained at his stay for a brief period, strongly condemned the operation.
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
“At 7 AM, police goons arrived. They dragged Sonam Sir away while hurling abuses at him,” a visibly shaken Dipke stated. “A 60-year-old man who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days and hasn’t eaten a thing was forcibly dragged away. We have no idea where they have taken him… When I received the news and was on my way to Jantar Mantar, the police assaulted me as well. I returned to my country from abroad—am I a criminal? These aren’t police officers; they are goons.”
Police Cite Medical Emergency
Defending the widely criticised morning raid, the Delhi Police invoked judicial orders and medical necessity. In a statement, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) New Delhi asserted that the intervention was strictly an act of medical care.
“As per orders of the Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care,” the DCP said. The administration concluded with a stern warning, adding, “We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”
