Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, has approached the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent hearing to allow his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility. The plea comes amid concerns over Wangchuk’s health after he spent weeks on a hunger strike demanding reforms in the education system.

According to Angmo, the government-run hospital has refused to discharge Wangchuk despite repeated requests from the family. She has also alleged that heavy police deployment inside the hospital has severely restricted their movement.

Wife alleges ‘illegal detention’ inside hospital

In a social media post, Gitanjali J Angmo claimed that hospital authorities have not permitted the family to shift Wangchuk to a private hospital of their choice.

She alleged that around 30 police personnel were stationed on their hospital floor, with more than 100 deployed across the premises, describing the situation as “illegal detention” rather than medical care.

Angmo said the restrictions have limited the family’s movement within the hospital and urged the court to intervene.

Shifted to hospital after hunger strike entered 21st day

Police shifted Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital after his hunger strike entered its 21st day.

The activist has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 as part of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s protest against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak. His family says his health has deteriorated significantly during the protest.

The Delhi High Court is expected to consider the plea seeking his transfer to a private hospital.

Lok Sabha MP and Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s office in Amtala, located in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, was demolished by the district administration on Saturday, triggering a fresh political confrontation between the ruling BJP government in the state and the opposition Trinamool Congress.

Administration cites alleged building violations

According to officials, the office was demolished because it was allegedly constructed without an approved building plan. Authorities said notices seeking explanations and relevant documents regarding the construction were issued on June 30 and July 7.

The administration also directed the Diamond Harbour MP to appear before district officials on July 15 and submit his response.

Officials claimed that no reply was received to either notice and that Banerjee did not appear before the administration as instructed. Following this, authorities decided to proceed with demolition.

A bulldozer was brought to the site on Saturday morning, and a heavy police presence was deployed after security arrangements were put in place around the premises before the demolition began.

Trinamool Congress alleges political revenge

Reacting to the action, the Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of targeting its leaders through what it described as “vengeful, violent politics.”

The party said the matter is already pending before a court and alleged that a “bulldozer culture” has emerged in West Bengal since the BJP came to power. It described the demolition as an act of political vengeance and alleged “goonda raj” during the operation.

Political backdrop

The demolition comes months after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, in which the BJP secured 208 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule. The Trinamool was reduced to 80 seats, while former party leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state’s Chief Minister.

Since its electoral defeat, the Mamata Banerjee-led party has witnessed internal turmoil. A faction of MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee, who is now the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. Several Lok Sabha MPs also left the party to join the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, while former Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned and later joined the BJP.

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is set to launch Vikram-1 from Sriharikota, marking a significant milestone for India’s growing private space industry.

India is set to witness a landmark moment in its space journey as Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace prepares to launch Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the mission as a “historic new frontier” ahead of the scheduled liftoff on Saturday.

PM Modi praises Vikram-1 mission

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Vikram-1 mission reflects the talent, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of India’s youth. He noted that the launch vehicle has been developed by Skyroot Aerospace to provide rapid and on-demand launch services, calling it a major step in India’s expanding space ecosystem.

Mission Aagaman set for liftoff from Sriharikota

The launch, named Mission Aagaman, is scheduled to lift off at 11:30 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The mission is expected to become a defining moment for India’s private space sector, highlighting the increasing participation of domestic startups in satellite launch services.

Rocket to carry PM’s ‘Vande Mataram’ message into space

Vikram-1 will carry a commemorative card featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message, “Vande Mataram”, into space. The rocket will also transport hundreds of commemorative cards carrying wishes and aspirations submitted by people from around the world.

Former ISRO chief extends best wishes

Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath wished the Skyroot Aerospace team success ahead of the mission. He described the launch as an important milestone for India’s fast-growing private space industry and expressed confidence in the team’s efforts.