Hospitals not places of detention- AIIMS New Delhi, Safdarjung resident doctors write to President Murmu over Wangchuk's hospitalisation

New Delhi: The Resident Doctors of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS New Delhi have written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking immediate intervention over the continued hospitalisation of activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) alleged that Wangchuk, despite being a competent patient, was reportedly not permitted to avail Leave Against Medical Advice (LAMA).

In its letter dated July 21, the RDA said reports suggesting that Wangchuk was prevented from availing Leave Against Medical Advice, if true, raise serious questions about informed consent, personal liberty, and constitutional rights.

It clearly stated that "Hospitals are institutions of healing and must not be perceived as places of detention except where such restriction is expressly authorised by law and carried out in accordance with due process. Every competent patient must be afforded the rights guaranteed under law, while any restriction on liberty should remain transparent, proportionate, and legally justified."

RDA expressed concern about recent developments regarding the continued hospitalisation of Wangchuk at Safdarjung Hospital, which have raised important questions about patient autonomy, medical ethics, institutional independence, and the functioning of public healthcare institutions.

The association said that while Wangchuk's medical condition and the need for his continued hospitalisation should be decided solely on the basis of independent clinical judgment, every person admitted to a hospital must be treated with dignity, compassion and in accordance with established medical ethics and the Constitution of India.

Also read- NEET 2026: Doctors demand NTA accountability, probe into irregularities

It added that any restriction on a patient's liberty must be imposed strictly in accordance with the law, remain transparent and proportionate, and should not compromise the patient's rights, the professional independence of treating doctors or the normal functioning of the hospital.

"Reports and publicly available visuals regarding his hospitalisation at our institution, indicating extraordinary security arrangements—including restricted access to hospital areas, sealing off portions of the hospital, deployment of extensive security personnel across multiple floors, and restrictions on routine hospital operations—have generated widespread concern. If such measures resulted in the disruption of patient care, impeded access to healthcare services, or created an environment in which a hospital appeared to function as an extension of law enforcement rather than a place of healing, the matter warrants independent examination," the letter mentioned.

The association also stressed that government hospitals, healthcare workers and medical services should never be used in a way that creates the impression that they are serving non-medical purposes. It said any security or administrative measures at hospitals should be proportionate, cause minimal disruption and must not affect patient care, restrict access to healthcare services or interfere with the independent functioning of doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Besides Wangchuk's hospitalisation, the doctors' body also sought an independent inquiry into the reported police action against peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar. It said reports and videos showing the use of force, including lathi charges and tear gas, have raised concerns over the exercise of constitutional freedoms and adherence to due process.

The association also claimed that doctors and healthcare professionals were among those affected during the protests. It further referred to reports of intimidation and physical misconduct involving faculty members and students of Lady Hardinge Medical College, saying these incidents warrant an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry.

Medical Dialogues had reported that several doctors who had reached the site of the NEET UG 2026 paper leak protest to provide emergency medical care to injured students have alleged that they were assaulted by police during the crackdown near Parliament on Monday. The doctors claimed they were beaten despite informing security personnel that they were treating injured protesters and were not part of the demonstration.

The allegations surfaced a day after police used baton charges and tear gas to disperse hundreds of students marching towards Parliament over the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak. The clashes reportedly left more than 50 students injured, while several doctors volunteering at the protest also sustained injuries, with some requiring stitches. In videos shared on social media, doctors described the alleged assault and accused the police of obstructing emergency medical care for the injured.

"Incidents of this nature further erode public confidence in doctors and place healthcare workers at an even greater risk of hostility and violence, despite having no role in administrative or political decisions," the association said in the letter.

The RDA also said that hospital administrations must remain independent custodians of medical ethics and patient welfare. It stated that any perception of hospitals or their administrations being aligned with non-medical or political interests could weaken public trust, affect the professional autonomy of doctors and undermine the credibility of public healthcare institutions.

"The cumulative effect of these developments has led to widespread anxiety and unrest. Unless addressed with transparency, accountability, and respect for constitutional principles, the situation is likely to escalate further, adversely impacting morale, healthcare delivery, and institutional harmony," the letter added.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Health Activist said, "Delhi High Court directs that Sonam Wangchuk be shifted to Medanta Hospital. All test reports are to be provided to the panel of doctors at Medanta, which will constitute a team of specialists to treat Wangchuk."

AIIMS Delhi writes to Murmu

Similarly, the Resident Doctors' Association of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, also wrote to President Murmu on Tuesday, seeking an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the events that unfolded during Monday's protest at Jantar Mantar.

The AIIMS RDA also questioned reports that Wangchuk was not allowed to leave Safdarjung Hospital despite seeking Leave Against Medical Advice (LAMA), saying that if the claims were accurate, they raised serious questions about patients' rights and autonomy.

The association specifically pointed out that videos appear to show police personnel with their faces and name badges covered, undermining transparency and accountability in law enforcement are particularly concerning.

The AIIMS RDA also referred to videos circulating on social media that allegedly show security personnel behaving in a threatening manner towards a senior professor and students of Lady Hardinge Medical College. It said the reports should be examined through an impartial and transparent inquiry.

Also read- Doctors allege police assault while treating injured NEET protesters near Parliament