Sonam Wangchuk during a hunger strike. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Activist and scientist Sonam Wangchuk, lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail since September 27, 2025, was taken to AIIMS Jodhpur for a medical examination early on Saturday (January 31, 2026) morning, officials said.
He spent about an hour and a half in the hospital’s gastroenterology department before being escorted back to the prison.
According to AIIMS sources, Mr. Wangchuk has been experiencing stomach-related issues and had visited the hospital on Friday (January 30, 2026) as well for tests.
The Supreme Court, which is currently hearing a petition filed by his wife, has requested Mr. Wangchuk’s medical report by February 2.
Following the Supreme Court’s orders, police transported Mr. Wangchuk from Jodhpur Central Jail to the emergency department of AIIMS Hospital on Saturday (January 31, 2026) morning, a police official said.
Mr. Wangchuk has been voicing concerns about his declining health in jail for some time now. Recognising his worsening condition, the Supreme Court ordered the Jodhpur jail administration on Thursday to arrange for him to be examined by a specialist.
During the hearing, a Bench comprising Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice P. B. Varale directed the jail authorities to ensure that Wangchuk receives an examination by a specialist doctor (a gastroenterologist) at a government hospital.
Additional Solicitor General for the Rajasthan government, K. M. Nataraj, reported that jail doctors had examined Mr. Wangchuk 21 times over the past four months, with the most recent check-up occurring on January 26.
Objecting to this submission, Mr. Wangchuk’s counsel Kapil Sibal claimed that he was suffering from persistent stomach pain due to the water quality in jail.
Accepting Mr. Sibal’s argument, the court said that medical treatment with a specialist must be provided in accordance with the patient’s needs.
Published – February 01, 2026 05:23 am IST