‘Arrest me if you want, but I am leaving’: Sonam Wangchuk releases video alleging harassment; Safdarjung hospital issues clarification | Delhi News

Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site at Jantar Mantar

NEW DELHI: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday night released a video on YouTube describing events from the past few days and sharing footage from the time he was leaving Safdarjung Hospital after the Delhi high court permitted his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon.The Safdarjung Hospital administration, however, said the video was recorded before it had received the written order of the high court, according to news agency PTI.Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site at Jantar Mantar, where he had been on a hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP’s demands, including accountability for examination paper leaks and the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Following directions from the Delhi high court, he was moved to Medanta Hospital on July 21.In the video, Wangchuk is seen arguing with a security personnel at Safdarjung Hospital, alleging that he was being stopped from leaving the premises.He can be heard saying that the authorities should either arrest him or allow him to leave.“You are harassing me… If I die of stress, it will be your responsibility,” Wangchuk says in the video.In another part of the clip, he can be heard saying, “Arrest me if you want, but I am leaving.”Reacting to the video, Safdarjung Hospital authorities said it was “purportedly recorded” by Wangchuk’s associates inside the hospital on July 21 in an area where videography is not permitted and was released only on Friday.“The video was reportedly recorded before the hospital administration received the written order of the high court. At that time, Mr Wangchuk insisted on leaving the hospital based on information available in the media.“It is pertinent to note that Mr Wangchuk was handed over to the team of doctors from Medanta Gurgaon on the same day at 6.40pm, immediately after the written order was received by the hospital,” they said.Wangchuk ended his hunger strike late Thursday night at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon in the presence of his wife Gitanjali Angmo and Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh.The activist said he decided to end the fast after receiving assurances from the government and Members of Parliament across party lines on his key demands related to examination reforms and the protection of peaceful protesters.