Jailed Activist's Health Declines; Court Demands Report

Activist and scientist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been detained in Jodhpur Central Jail since September 27, 2025, was transported to AIIMS Jodhpur for medical assessment on Saturday morning. Officials reported that he spent about ninety minutes in the hospital's gastroenterology department before being escorted back to his detention facility.

Sources at AIIMS indicated that Wangchuk has been experiencing stomach-related health problems, having also visited the hospital on Friday for tests. The Supreme Court, which is presiding over a petition filed by his wife, has mandated that Wangchuk's medical report be submitted by February 2. This order came after Wangchuk voiced concerns about his deteriorating health in jail over some time.

Previously, on Thursday, a bench of the Supreme Court directed jail authorities to ensure Wangchuk received an examination by a specialist. During the hearing, the Rajasthan government's counsel stated that jail doctors had examined Wangchuk 21 times in the preceding four months. However, Wangchuk's lawyer countered that his client suffered persistent stomach pain, attributing it to the jail's water quality, which the court acknowledged, stressing the need for specialist medical care.