Ladakh Delegation Says It Was Blocked From Meeting Sonam Wangchuk

A delegation from Ladakh in Delhi said it was unable to meet Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon on July 22, according to The Indian Express. The report said Wangchuk's fast had reached its 25th day.

The newspaper reported that at least 12 members of the Kargil Democratic Alliance and Apex Body Leh went to the hospital to enquire about Wangchuk's health and ask him to consider ending the fast. KDA co-chairman Sajjad Kargili told the newspaper that the delegation waited four hours and was told a meeting would require no objection from police.

The report said the delegation met CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke and other students at Jantar Mantar on July 21. It also reported that Wangchuk was moved to Medanta after his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, petitioned the Delhi High Court for transfer from Safdarjung Hospital.

What we can verify

• The Indian Express reported the delegation's account that it could not meet Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital.
• The newspaper reported that Wangchuk said he would end his fast if the Centre assured no punitive or retaliatory action against participating students.
• The newspaper reported that Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met Wangchuk at the hospital on July 22.

What remains unverified

• This report does not independently verify why the delegation was not permitted to meet Wangchuk.
• The delegation's description of Wangchuk as being under detention is its claim, not an independently established finding.