Sonam Wangchuk removed from Jantar Mantar after Delhi Police carried out an early-morning operation in New Delhi at around 6:30 a.m. IST on Saturday, July 18, 2026. He was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike after police said doctors had advised urgent medical care under Delhi High Court directions.
Sonam Wangchuk Removed From Jantar Mantar
According to police sources cited in the report, officers from the New Delhi district were informed late on Friday, July 17, 2026, that a security drill would be held before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Station house officers were asked to reach Parliament Street police station by 3:00 a.m. with additional personnel.
The officers were later taken to Mandir Marg police station, where senior officials reportedly briefed them on the plan. An ambulance was positioned near Kerala House, close to the Jantar Mantar protest site, before the operation began.
Delhi Police 30-Second Plan Explained
Police officers were reportedly instructed to remove Wangchuk within 30 seconds, although sources said the transfer was completed in about two minutes. Shortly before the operation, a phone jammer was allegedly installed and a plain white curtain was placed across the protest stage.
These operational details were attributed to unnamed police sources. Delhi Police publicly said Wangchuk was shifted to hospital because his health had worsened during the prolonged fast and medical intervention had become necessary.
New Police Leadership and Protest Strategy
The operation came a day after Anurag Kumar replaced Satish Golchha as Delhi Police Commissioner and began discussions with senior officers on handling the protest. The timing added importance to the early-morning action, which was carried out before the planned Parliament march.
Wangchuk had begun his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday, June 28, 2026, in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s demands for examination reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks.
Court Directions and Hospital Update
On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health regularly and act according to medical advice. The court order became a key part of the police explanation for moving him to Safdarjung Hospital.
The protest group alleged that Wangchuk was removed without consent and claimed that some supporters were stopped or mistreated. Delhi Police denied using excessive force and said officers acted with restraint while completing the transfer safely.
As of Saturday morning, July 18, 2026, Wangchuk remained under medical observation at Safdarjung Hospital. No confirmed discharge time had been announced. The protest group said its campaign would continue, with a Parliament march planned for Monday, July 20, 2026.
