Indian Court Rejects Bid to Release Hunger-Striking Activist Held Without Trial in Delhi Hospital

An Indian court has rejected a petition from the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk to release him from illegal detention in a New Delhi hospital, where he was forcibly taken by police after three weeks of hunger striking over alleged human rights violations and government restrictions on his activities. Sonam Wangchuk's lawyer said the court dismissed their plea without giving reasons, citing national security concerns as grounds for keeping him detained. The activist is being held without charge in a hospital under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. His wife and supporters claim he was forcibly taken from his home by police and held against his will.