Leh/Jodhpur: Social reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk walked free from Jodhpur Central Jail after his unconditional release by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday, bringing relief to his family and supporters.
Soon after his release, Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Wangchuk said she was taking him for a medical examination on the strong advice of their family doctor.
Speaking shortly after meeting him outside the jail, she said it was the first time in a long while that they could sit and talk freely without the anxiety of limited jail visiting hours.
“For the first time after many weeks we had a free-flowing conversation without constantly looking at the clock to make the most of the brief 60-minute meetings allowed in jail,” she said.
She added that Wangchuk would remain under medical observation for the next 36 hours at a well-equipped hospital as a precautionary measure following his period of incarceration.
Sources close to the family said doctors recommended the check-up to assess his overall health and fatigue after the stressful days in custody.
Wangchuk’s release has been welcomed by supporters and civil society groups, many of whom had been demanding his immediate release and raising concerns over his health and well-being.
The noted engineer-turned-activist, widely known for his work on sustainable development and education in the Himalayan region, is expected to rest for the next few days after the medical evaluation.
