NEW DELHI – Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has strongly accused the Delhi Police of "kidnapping" climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from a protest site at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 20 days, was reportedly removed by police early in the morning and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. Delhi Police maintains the action was a necessary medical intervention following High Court orders due to his deteriorating health.
Activist's Health Declines During Hunger Strike
Sonam Wangchuk, 59, had been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, 2026, at Jantar Mantar. His protest aimed to highlight alleged irregularities in the NEET UG paper leak and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Doctors monitoring Wangchuk's condition noted he had lost approximately 10 kilograms during his fast, raising significant concerns about his health. The Delhi High Court had previously directed police to monitor Wangchuk's health daily and provide immediate medical assistance if needed. Dipke had also warned days earlier that the government would be responsible if anything happened to Wangchuk, noting his continuously deteriorating health, including low blood sugar and blood pressure.[thenewsminute+9]
Police Action Sparks Kidnapping Allegations
The removal operation by Delhi Police reportedly began in the early hours of Saturday, July 18. Reports suggest that New Delhi district police assembled around 3 AM under the guise of a security drill. Officers were later briefed at Mandir Marg police station to remove Wangchuk within "30 seconds." Witnesses described the operation as "like a kidnapping," alleging that police "grabbed" Wangchuk and "hauled him away." Some accounts claim police personnel arrived in plain clothes, pretending to be doctors.[thenewsminute+4]
Abhijeet Dipke vehemently condemned the police action, stating, "You made a big mistake by kidnapping Sonam Wangchuk." He accused the Delhi Police of forcibly taking Wangchuk away against his will. Dipke, who founded the Cockroach Janta Party, alleged that officers dragged Wangchuk away despite his weakened state after more than 20 days of hunger strike. He further claimed that police personnel, whom he referred to as "police goons," arrived around 7 AM and forcibly removed Wangchuk while "hurling abuse at him."[youtube+3]
Protesters at the scene alleged that police shoved, beat, and verbally abused those who tried to intervene. Some claimed they were dragged or struck, and that phones recording the incident were snatched and smashed. Dipke himself alleged he was beaten and briefly detained by Delhi Police on Saturday while attempting to return to the protest site. He later announced an indefinite hunger strike after being denied entry back to Jantar Mantar.[hindustantimes+6]
Delhi Police Defends Removal, Cites Court Orders
Delhi Police, however, stated that Wangchuk was safely shifted from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital in accordance with Delhi High Court orders. They emphasized that the decision was based on the advice of medical experts due to Wangchuk's rapidly declining health. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of New Delhi issued an official statement, confirming that police followed judicial orders and medical advice.[organiser+2]
Police acknowledged a "brief commotion" during the operation, noting that some protesters attempted to obstruct their duty. Despite this, police maintained they exercised "immense restraint" and safely transported Wangchuk to the hospital. Amedical bulletin from Safdarjung Hospital reported Wangchuk had "mild dehydration and his vital signs are stable" shortly after his admission. Police also urged other protesters at Jantar Mantar to vacate the area peacefully.[organiser+4]
Calls for Nationwide Protests Grow
Following Wangchuk's removal, Abhijeet Dipke escalated his condemnation and called for nationwide protests. "You've caused Jantar Mantar to fill up. Now if you disrupt us here, all of Delhi will be filled with protesters," Dipke warned authorities. He posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), urging people to send a message that "the people won't accept this kind of dictatorship." The demands of the protest have reportedly widened since Wangchuk's removal, now including calls for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down.[timesofindia+4]
The incident underscores the growing tension between authorities and protesters, with CJP maintaining that Wangchuk's removal was an unlawful act of "kidnapping" and Delhi Police asserting it was a necessary medical intervention mandated by the court.[thenewsminute]
