The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Central and Delhi governments to ensure that activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, undergoes daily medical examinations by government doctors and that every necessary medical intervention is taken to safeguard his life.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the order after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for both the Centre and the Delhi government, assured the Court that Wangchuk's health would be monitored every day by government doctors.

The Court observed that the life of every citizen is valuable and that the authorities must make every possible effort to protect it.

"Life of any citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same," the Bench said, while directing that Wangchuk's medical condition be monitored daily, both clinically and otherwise.

The directions came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, seeking urgent intervention to protect Wangchuk's life. The petition sought directions to the Centre and the Delhi government to shift the activist to a hospital and administer medical treatment, including force-feeding if necessary.

According to the petition, Wangchuk has lost around 8.5 kilograms since beginning his indefinite hunger strike on June 28 at Jantar Mantar, where he joined protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged question paper leaks and irregularities in the education system.

The petition claimed that Wangchuk's health had deteriorated significantly and warned that his life could be at risk if the hunger strike continued.

It further alleged that the government had failed to provide adequate medical attention and urged the authorities to ensure that Wangchuk received essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals through medical intervention if required.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Mehta informed the Bench that Wangchuk's health was already being checked regularly by doctors. He added that while government doctors conduct examinations whenever permitted, Wangchuk is also examined by private doctors on certain occasions.

The Court sought to know whether the government maintained medical reports of these examinations, to which the Solicitor General responded that such reports could be prepared.

Recording the assurance given by the Solicitor General, the High Court directed the authorities to continue monitoring Wangchuk's health on a daily basis and to undertake all medical measures considered necessary by doctors to prevent any further deterioration in his condition.